World B. Free Sues Nike

CAMDEN, N.J. (CN) – World B. Free claims Nike used his image without permission to sell its “World B. Free old school basketball sneaker.” The former NBA star also sued the online site Sole Collector and its owner-operator, Nick DePaula.     Free claims in Camden County Court that “Nike knowingly, intentionally and fraudulently used plaintiff’s likeness in its marketing campaign without obtaining any permission or license from plaintiff”.     He adds, “Moreover, plaintiff alleges that Nike’s practice of purposefully using the likeness of retired National Basketball League players like himself in select editions of sneaker without prior authorization constitutes an unfair business practice in violation of New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act”.     He is represented by Timothy McIlwain.