Sean “Diddy” Combs vs. Missguided

Calling all Labelers! 📣 

On this week’s podcast, we’re giving the scoop on the lawsuit between P Diddy and Missguided and why it’s SO important to never use another’s name or likeness without written consent or approval.

Sean “Diddy” Combs vs. Missguided

People are OBSESSED with whatever celebs like the Kardashians wear- so much that every time they go out, the paparazzi would photograph their outfits. It only takes fast fashion brands like Missguided and Fashion Nova a few days to get these pictures and use the celebrities’ “likeness” to sell more clothes. 

What do we mean by using their likeness? These brands find models that look exactly like celebrities, such as Kim K, and take photos to trick shoppers into thinking that she promotes their brand. The crazy thing is: it works! People will buy clothes from a website because they believe celebrities are wearing their clothes when in reality, they have no affiliation with the brand. Kim Kardashian ended up suing Missguided for “knocking off” her clothes and won the lawsuit for 2.7 million dollars.

A similar situation has been happening for Sean “Diddy” Combs. P Diddy is suing Sean John’s owner and Missguided for using him to promote their collaboration. In 1998, Combs launched the Sean John brand and later sold it to Global Brands Group in 2016. In a recent file against the Global Brands Group, Combs claimed the company of using and exploiting [his] name, image, likeness, and persona … without his approval, permission”. Using Comb’s name ultimately causes people to believe he is associated with the collection they launched. 

“[Diddy] does not challenge [Sean John/GBG’s] right to use the Sean John trademark, but rather [Sean John/GBG’s] decision to leverage a fabricated quote they created and then falsely attributed to Mr. Combs, and to use Mr. Combs’s name and other monikers to create the false and misleading impression that Mr. Combs is the decision-maker behind the designs and creation of the GBG Collection,” Diddy’s lawyer Jonathan D. Davis stated in the lawsuit, according to AllHipHop.

According to Combs, people link the Sean John brand to P Diddy, “but that still doesn’t mean the brand can use his name and likeness without their written consent or approval,” according to Combs.

Why is this important? It’s not just celebrities that will get upset about someone using their images to promote a brand. 

ALWAYS get written permission before you repost someone’s image on your page. An easy way to do this is to send a DM asking if you can share their post. 

ALWAYS have models sign release forms that permit you to use their photographs for advertising purposes.

NEVER run ads against an image that isn’t yours. Never sell something with an image that isn’t yours to use.

NEVER use someone else’s name or likeness without their approval. Getting approval is key because it can save you the risk of running the possibility of getting involved in a very messy lawsuit, and it will save you and your business tons of trouble.

We want to know! What are your thoughts about the lawsuit? Let us know what you think in the comments! 👇

For more guidance on all things branding, PR, and marketing, email us at info@itscreativelabel.com!