The estate of MF Doom claims in a new lawsuit that Chinese e-commerce giant Temu is selling counterfeit versions of the late hip-hop legend’s iconic merchandise.
Gas Drawls LLC, the company that has managed MF Doom’s estate since the British-born rapper (Daniel Dumile) died suddenly in 2020, filed a federal complaint against Temu on Monday (Aug. 11).
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The lawsuit accuses Temu of selling dozens of knock-off t-shirts, hats, posters and other merchandise displaying MF Doom’s name and the signature mask he would wear while performing. These products supposedly rip off merch sold on MF Doom’s official store, but “at a far lower price point and a fraction of the quality.”
“Such product devalues the subject marks, as well as plaintiff’s proprietary and licensed products and MF Doom’s status in the hip hop milieu,” reads the complaint. “It also creates a false association between MF Doom and Temu.”
MF Doom’s estate says it particularly does not want to be associated with Temu because the Chinese e-commerce giant is “one of the most unethical companies operating in today’s global marketplace.”
The lawsuit cites “allegations of egregious and horrific business practices” against Temu, including claims that it relies on forced labor and routinely violates users’ privacy. MF Doom’s estate also doesn’t like that the counterfeit merch is sold alongside “products that shock the [conscience]” on the Temu marketplace, such as T-shirts that display gang names and homophobic language.
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Gas Drawls brings a total of seven federal and California state claims in the lawsuit, including trademark infringement, unfair competition and misappropriation of likeness. The estate is seeking a court injunction that would force Temu to stop selling counterfeit products, plus a financial penalty.
“Plaintiff has sustained significant injury and monetary damages as a result of Temu’s wrongful acts as alleged above,” says the lawsuit. “Plaintiff is at present unable to ascertain the full extent of the monetary damages they have suffered by reason of said acts.”
Temu did not immediately return a request for comment on Monday.
Named for a track off MF Doom’s 1999 debut album Operation: Doomsday, Gas Drawls is responsible for managing the late rapper’s catalog and intellectual property. The company sells physical media and merchandise on an online store, noting that all purchases “directly support Doom’s family and the continuation of his legacy.”
Monday’s lawsuit is not the first time Gas Drawls has gone to court since MF Doom’s death. In 2023, the estate sued Eothen “Egon” Alapatt, a label executive and former MF Doom collaborator, claiming he’d stolen dozens of private notebooks in which the rapper recorded song lyrics, ideas and creative musings.
Egon denied the estate’s claims, and that lawsuit was ultimately settled out of court.
