Wrestlenomics is reporting that Composite Effects, LLC (CFX) filed a lawsuit against All Elite Wrestling and Austin Matelson, who wrestles as Luchasaurus, for using their copyrighted mask design for merchandise without a license and their permission. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Louisiana last month.
In the lawsuit, the company stated that Matelson was allowed to use the mask for wrestling but there was never permission given to allow him to make money off merchandise using their design. CFX argued that the mask appears on several apparel and also ads.
CFX also claims that both parties tried to come to a licensing agreement following his deal with AEW back in 2019 but went nowhere. In 2021, AEW reached out to create a new mask which they would own and after it was created, the mask was not used, with Matelson saying that the original mask was “too iconic at this point” and AEW decided not to change the face.
After repeated attempts to get a licensing agreement, CFX says that Matelson approached another designer to create a similar mask. The designer, George Frangadakis, signed a statement saying that Matelson and AEW wanted a near exact-replica of his current mask produced. Frangadakis offered to do a new mask but not a replica. He did not get an order to do the new mask.
CFX is now looking to cash in by suing AEW and Matelson for profits related to mask as well as other monetary damages and attorney fees.
