Pharrell Williams is not here for copycats. The music and fashion mogul is making waves after his Billionaire Boys Club (BBC) Ice Cream Clothing, LLC filed a massive $14 million lawsuit against clothing brand Spreadshirt over alleged copyright infringement.
According to court documents obtained by AllHipHop, Pharrell’s camp claims that Spreadshirt allowed third-party vendors to upload and sell counterfeit designs featuring BBC branding. But that’s not all — the lawsuit alleges that Spreadshirt wasn’t just a passive marketplace. Instead, it accuses the platform of actively participating in the counterfeit scheme by printing, packaging, and shipping the fake merchandise under the guise of “white-label” packaging to conceal its involvement.
“[Spreadshirt’s] conduct continues unabated, and the manufacture, publishing, advertising for sale and sales of counterfeit and infringing Products persist,” said Richard J. Pocker, attorney for BBC. “BBC brings this action to put a stop to this ongoing unlawful conduct and to hold [Spreadshirt] accountable for their actions.”
BBC — co-founded in 2003 by Pharrell Williams and Japanese fashion legend Nigo — has long been a trailblazer in the global streetwear scene. With its vibrant designs, hip-hop roots, and cultural crossover appeal, the brand has built a legacy that spans across luxury and street fashion. Its offshoots, ICECREAM and Billionaire Girls Club, only furthered that reach.
This case sheds light on a growing issue in fashion: digital piracy. As print-on-demand platforms become more popular, so too does the spread of counterfeit goods. The outcome of Pharrell’s lawsuit could set a major precedent for how platforms regulate and enforce intellectual property rights moving forward.
Meanwhile, Pharrell Williams continues blending music and fashion effortlessly. He recently contributed to The Clipse’s highly anticipated reunion album Let God Sort Them Out, which is set to drop on July 11. The iconic duo — Pusha T and No Malice — previewed the new music while strutting down Pharrell’s Louis Vuitton runway.
Pharrell Williams is clearly on a mission: protecting his legacy while shaping the future of culture — one lawsuit, and one beat, at a time.
