AceShowbiz - A federal judge has authorized the estate of MF Doom to proceed with its updated trademark infringement claims against online retailer Temu. The lawsuit targets the sale of counterfeit merchandise featuring the late hip-hop legend's distinctive name and signature mask.

U.S. District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. initially dismissed the lawsuit's first version in December, deeming Temu a mere pass-through online marketplace. However, MF Doom’s estate revised its filing, alleging Temu takes a significantly more active and controlling role in curating, selling, and shipping low-priced goods. The judge now finds these new allegations make the lawsuit viable.

Judge Blumenfeld Jr.'s ruling stated, “As amended, the complaint plausibly alleges that Temu takes title to goods or otherwise exercises sufficient control over the allegedly infringing products to be liable for their sale.” It details how Temu holds itself out as the seller, identifies products as ‘procured by Temu,’ creates advertising, receives manufacturer pitches, and jointly controls pricing, logistics, and importation.

Despite these allegations, Temu consistently asserts it is merely an intermediary, disclaiming liability for vendors’ alleged trademark infringement. Judge Blumenfeld Jr.’s decision makes no factual findings, but rather confirms the lawsuit is legally sound enough for MF Doom’s estate to enter discovery.

Jeff Gluck, legal counsel for the MF Doom estate, called the ruling an “important and significant victory.” Temu did not return a request for comment. MF Doom (Daniel Dumile) died in 2020; his family now manages his catalog and intellectual property.

The estate sued Temu last summer, alleging the Chinese budget seller (whose name stems from “Team Up, Price Down”) is flooding the market with knock-off t-shirts, hats, and posters. These items allegedly bear MF Doom’s iconic mask and other trademarks, infringing on its intellectual property.

This case, alongside a similar counterfeiting lawsuit filed by the same lawyers on behalf of Twenty One Pilots last year, represents a new front in the music industry’s legal battle against surging phony merchandise sales, which significantly impact artists' revenue and brand integrity.