Attorneys for Baltimore Ravens quarterback and NFL MVP Lamar Jackson filed a suit in Florida against Amazon.com, claiming the business giant is unfairly profiting from apparel playing off his public image and catchphrases.
The lawsuit alleges that Amazon is damaging Jackson’s Era8Apparel, LLC, which sells similar products online.
Jackson’s complaint, filed on Wednesday, asks Amazon to stop selling the products without permission and iseeking the corporate giant provides Jackson with compensation and damages. Jackson has also asked Amazon to remove the products currently listed on its website, which use the phrases, “Lamarvelous,” “Action Jackson” and “Not bad for a running back.” These items have been taken down on Amazon.com, though they can be seen through caches, per reports.
In a complaint drafted by attorney Mitchel Chusid and filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Jackson charges that Amazon (and its partner company, Amazon Services) has engaged in the “deliberate and unauthorized use” of Jackson’s name, image and persona. Jackson demands a jury trial. His case will be heard by Judge Roy Altman.
“Amazon is deliberately attempting to confuse and deceive the public that the infringing items are affiliated or endorsed by Lamar Jackson as a part of his brand to commercially exploit Lamar’s celebrity and notoriety for significant profit,” the quarterback’s attorneys at Ritter Chusid, LLP said in a statement.
Jackson threw for more than 3,100 yards and a league-high 36 touchdowns last season for the Ravens and ran for 1,206 yards and another seven touchdowns. His rushing yards set a league record for most by a quarterback in a single season as the Ravens went 14-2.