Pharrell Williams is taking a bold stand against fashion knockoffs. The music and fashion icon has filed a $14 million lawsuit through his Billionaire Boys Club (BBC) Ice Cream Clothing, LLC, targeting Spreadshirt, a print-on-demand apparel company, for allegedly facilitating the sale of counterfeit designs bearing the BBC name and branding.
According to court documents obtained by AllHipHop, the suit claims Spreadshirt not only allowed third-party sellers to upload unauthorized BBC-related designs, but also handled the printing, packaging, and shipping of those counterfeit goods. While Spreadshirt operates under the premise of being a neutral online platform, the lawsuit argues that the company functioned as an active player in the production and distribution of fake merchandise. To obscure its involvement, the complaint alleges Spreadshirt used generic packaging to disguise its role in the operation.
“Spreadshirt’s conduct continues unabated,” said Williams’ attorney Richard J. Pocker in the filing. “The manufacture, publishing, advertising for sale, and sales of counterfeit and infringing products persist. BBC brings this action to put a stop to this ongoing unlawful conduct and to hold Spreadshirt accountable for their actions.”
Billionaire Boys Club, founded in 2003 by Pharrell and Japanese streetwear pioneer Nigo, has become a cornerstone of global fashion culture. With its bold visuals, hip-hop sensibilities, and skatewear influences, the brand and its sub-labels, ICECREAM and Billionaire Girls Club, have made a lasting impact on both luxury and streetwear markets.
This lawsuit underscores rising tensions between established brands and digital platforms, especially as online marketplaces have become breeding grounds for unlicensed merchandise. As counterfeit products continue to flood the market, the case could set an important legal precedent in how intellectual property rights are enforced in the e-commerce era.
For Pharrell and the BBC team, this is more than a legal dispute; it’s a defense of authenticity in an industry increasingly compromised by imitation.