Hells Angels sue Alexander McQueen over trademark infringement

The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club is suing the Alexander McQueen fashion house claiming it infringed the club's trademark. It is also suing Saks Fifth Avenue, the luxury store, and online retailer Zappos for selling what the Hells Angels regard as offending merchandise.

According to Fritz Clapp, an intellectual property lawyer for the Hells Angels, the items in question included a four finger ring that used the club's winged skull logo. He said the phrase "Hells Angels" was also used on a pashmina scarf.



Other items with Hells Angels motifs included a $2,329 handbag and a $1,595 dress, the club claimed. Its legal complaint said trademarks associated with the Hells Angels had "great commercial value" and the fashion house and stores were trying to "exploit that value for their own gain." The motorcycle club is seeking the removal of the items from sale immediately. Representatives for the fashion house and Saks Fifth Avenue did not comment.

The fashion house was founded by British designer Alexander McQueen who committed suicide in February. In 2006 the Hells Angels sued a division of Walt Disney Buena Vista Motion Pictures, claiming its trademark was being infringed in the making of a comedy film called "Wild Hogs" about middle-aged bikers.