Last month after Justin Bieber unveiled the title and cover for his new album Justice, Ed Banger Records poked fun at the similarity of the title and cover font to the logo of the French duo Justice. The lower case letter “t” in Justice is represented as a cross, as it has been for years. The band’s management later told SPIN:
Bieber’s team emailed us in May 2020 asking us to contact the Justice graphic designer to discuss a logo. We tried to set up a call between Bieber’s team and our designer, but the call never closed and the conversation ended there. Nobody ever mentioned an album called Justice or a logo that said Justice. The first time we saw anything about it was the announcement.
The judiciary has now sent Justin Bieber a warning letter about the album, as reported by Rolling Stone and Pitchfork can confirm. According to the letter that Justice’s counsel sent to Bieber’s team on March 10, which was viewed by Pitchfork, Justice registered his font, known as “Mark” in France, as a trademark in 2008.
“Your use of the trademark is illegal,” writes the lawyer. “You have not received permission from the judiciary to use the mark. In addition, Bieber’s work is in no way connected with, endorsed or sponsored by the judiciary. Not only is such use of the trademark illegal, but it can also mislead and confuse customers. “
According to the duo’s attorney, “Justice’s Mark has priority both in the US and overseas,” as the duo sold goods to US customers and performed in the US.
The judiciary and its attorney call on Bieber to “cease and prohibit all use of Justice’s Mark in all personal and business endeavors, including but not limited to [his] Album and social media. “
Pitchfork has asked Justin Bieber representatives for comments and further information.
