Yeezy is suing a former intern for breaching a non-disclosure agreement, which included a ‘$500,000 liquidated damages provision.’
Ryan Inwards, who was reportedly a summer intern for Kanye West‘s clothing line in 2020, allegedly ‘shared confidential Yeezy photos on his Instagram,’ according to a complaint filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court obtained by PEOPLE on Friday.
By signing the company’s legally binding contract, often used to protect confidential business information, he agreed to refrain from posting ‘unauthorized materials’ on his personal ‘social media sites’ during and after his months-long employment.
Legal action: Kanye West’s clothing line Yeezy is suing a former intern for breaching a non-disclosure agreement, which included a ‘$500,000 liquidated damages provision’ (seen on the runway of the Yeezy fashion show during Paris Fashion Week in March 2020)
Yeezy, however, claims Inwards uploaded multiple classified images and ignored ‘multiple cease and desist letters’ to remove these items.
The complaint also noted that Inwards ‘shared nonpublic images on Instagram and hasn’t removed them even after’ they threatened legal action.
Since news broke, The Hollywood Reporter pointed out that an ‘Instagram account of the same name now has zero posts.’
Bad for business: Ryan Inwards, who reportedly interned with the high-end brand from February 2020 to summer 2020, allegedly ‘shared confidential Yeezy photos’ on his Instagram, according to a complaint filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court obtained by PEOPLE on Friday; West seen in November 2019
Now, the 43-year-old rap mogul’s business appears intent on trying to enforce a half-million-dollar liquidated damages clause for breach of contract and conversion.
Additionally, they are ‘also seeking an injunction mandating that he turn over the images and be banned from similar posts in the future,’ according to THR.
While it is unclear what Inwards specifically leaked, his internship coincided with many big announcements for the company, including news they inked a ten-year collaboration deal with Gap to bring the Yeezy label to the masses.
Taking action: The 43-year-old rap mogul apparel business is looking to enforce a half-million-dollar liquidated damages clause for breach of contract and conversion; West and his wife Kim Kardashian West seen on September 16, 2015
Whirlwind year: While it is unclear what Inwards specifically leaked, his internship coincided with many big announcements for the company, including news they inked a ten-year collaboration deal with Gap to bring the Yeezy label to the masses (French actor Gianni Esposito pictured in Yeezy boost 350 sneakers in 2017)
In July, Forbes magazine also estimated West’s sneaker empire to be a billion-dollar enterprise.
Revenue for the Yeezy sneaker line, now with Adidas, was reported to be set to top $1.5 billion in 2019, and West’s pretax income over the past 12 months came in at $150 million, according to Forbes.
West describes his foot line as ‘the Lamborghini of shoes’, a nod to the matte-black Lamborghini SUV he owns.
Proud founder: West describes his foot line as ‘the Lamborghini of shoes’, a nod to the matte-black Lamborghini SUV he owns; West seen with his eldest daughter North at the Yeezy Season 8 last year
West’s business fortunes mark a stunning reversal from just three years ago in late 2016, when he begged Mark Zuckerberg to invest $1 billion in his ‘ideas’ and claimed to be $53million in debt.
Late last year, he admitted to being worth ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’ despite claiming in September to be worth $5 billion after signing his lucrative deal with the Gap.
He and his wife Kim Kardashian are reportedly parting ways after six years marriage, according to recent reports that suggest she is ‘done’ trying to make things work with him.
Bending the truth: Late last year, he admitted to being worth ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’ despite claiming in September to be worth $5 billion after signing his lucrative deal with the Gap; seen in 2020