AEW & Luchasaurus Are Being Sued!
The wrestling dinosaur's existing look could be extinct pending the outcome of new legal battle.
All Elite Wrestling and Luchasaurus are facing legal action over the wrestling dinosaur's mask.
The look has been a key part of the AEW original's aesthetic, but the alleged fallout has come as result of both wrestler and promotion profiting over merchandise that designers Composite Effects (CFX) believe is theirs.
News of the suit was reported by Wrestlenomics, who noted that the company claiming “owns licensing and design rights on all of our characters.” The plaintiffs also added;
“Matelson was entitled to use the mask in events as a wrestler...but neither he nor anyone acting on his behalf was entitled to create merchandise that incorporated the mask design.”
The lawsuit contains examples of the mask as part of AEW’s merchandise lines, with T-shirts and action figures in particular allegedly infringing on CFX's copyright. Further communications between the two sides about potential mask redesigns between 2019 and 2021 have been included in the suit.
Luchasaurus (real name Austin Matelson) worked with CFX for the first time around December 2016, arranging for a modified version of their "Viper Silicone Mask". It was modified again in 2019 ahead Metelson's debut in All Elite Wrestling, adding horns for added effect before he debuted at Double Or Nothing 2019.
As of writing, AEW are yet to respond.