Justin Bieber and Justice.
Photo-illustration: Vulture and Getty Images
When Justin Bieber announced his sixth album JUSTICE three weeks ago, we at Vulture asked, “Who will bring Justin Bieber’s album ad to justice?” Now, we have our answer, in the form of a letter of withdrawal from the electronic duo Justice. The French dance group claims that the logo for Bieber’s album, which features a cross like the T in the word justice, is “illegal”, according to Rolling Stone, since Justice registered the cross in the word justice as a trademark in both France and the European Union. “You have not received permission from the courts to use the Mark,” the group told Bieber in a letter, adding that its use of the logo was “likely to mislead and confuse consumers.” Bieber’s JUSTICE the merchandise line also features a cross next to the album title.
Rolling Stone reported that Justice also included an email from Bieber’s team to Justice, sent on April 29, 2020, about the logo. “We are trying to track down the designer who did the one below for Justice. I hoped you could help me point in the right direction, ”wrote Bieber’s team. The designer responded, but then “the trail has cooled,” one of Justice’s managers told the magazine. The cease and desist letter stated: “Not only was Bieber’s team really aware of the use of the Mark by Justice, they sought to use the same artist to essentially duplicate it for the album. This is a manual of bad faith and willful violation. “
Justice managers said Rolling Stone that Bieber’s team rejected the letter and claimed the JUSTICE album and merchandise were not violations. The cease and desist, however, threatened “immediate legal action and damages, including, but not limited to, punitive relief and injustice.”