The French luxury group Hermès sued in New York an artist who has created nonexpendable tokens (NFT) in the form of leather bags strongly inspired by the brand's famous Birkin model.
At first, artist Mason Rothschild created with Eric Ramirez a "non-fungible token" (NFT)-unique digital objects, such as drawings or animations, whose property can be traced-which they called "Baby Birkin", inspired by Hermès' star bag.
Faced with the successful sales of that first NFT, Mason Rothschild created a hundred "MetaBirkins", which he put on sale in cryptocurrency for the equivalent of several thousand euros.
In the complaint filed with the Federal Court in Manhattan, New York, to which AFP had access, Hermès accuses Mason Rothschild of being a "digital speculator who seeks to enrich himself quickly by seizing the MetaBirkin brand" through the sale of his NFTs.
"the MetaBirkin brand simply appropriates the famous name of the Hermès brand, the Birkin, adding the 'target' prefix," the demand points out.
The artist has "openly acknowledged that he decided to sell his NFT under the name 'Metabirkins' because a Birkin bag is a precious asset in the real world," argues the luxury firm.
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The Birkin bags, the star product of Hermès, inspired by English singer and actress Jane Birkin, are sold in store for several thousand euros.
According to the group, the name "Metabirkins" "gave it financial success in a few weeks. There is no doubt that this success is due to a confusing use of the Hermès brand".
"Hermès' claims have no foundation," Rothschild replied on social media. "I have neither created nor sold fake Birkin bags. I have done works of art that represent imaginary Birkin bags covered in skin," he added, comparing his work with Andy Warhol's and his famous canvases with Campbell's plasma soup cans.
"that I sell art using NFT does not change the fact that it is art," said the artist, explaining that he had wanted to discuss with the company. "I hope Hermès understands that I will not be intimidated," he said.
AFP contacted Hermès, but the firm indicated that it does not comment on open court cases.
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