Audigier, Ed Hardy Settle Lawsuit
Designer Christian Audigier, whose Nervous Tattoo Inc. licenses the Ed Hardy brand from tattoo artist Don Ed Hardy, has settled a $100 million claim filed against him by Hardy’s Hardy Way LLC last February.
Terms of the settlement were not released. Hardy filed the suit claiming he was underpaid royalties and that Audigier underreported sales for the Ed Hardy clothing line, known for its embellished T-shirts featuring Hardy’s tattoo work.
The lawsuit also accused Audigier of launching his eponymous line against the terms of the licensing agreement.
Since the lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Hardy has aligned with Iconix Brand Group, which acquired a 50 percent stake in the company in May.
“I am happy to announce that a settlement has been reached. This partnership pools the tremendous talent and resources of both Nervous Tattoo and Hardy Way and will secure the Ed Hardy brand as a leader in the fashion world for generations to come,” Audigier said in a statement. “Putting the past behind us allows us to focus on the future, and with this partnership in place, the future has just begun.”
Audigier Brand Management Group, which oversees the Nervous Tattoo division, manufactures apparel under the Christian Audigier, Ed Hardy, Smet, Crystal Rock, Paco Chicano, Rock Fabulous and Vif Speed Shop labels.—Robert McAllister
