One of the world’s most infamous cults is coming for Lil Uzi Vert.
According to Page Six, the surviving members of Heaven’s Gate—a religious group most known for its 1997 mass suicide—intend to take further legal action against the Philadelphia rapper, who allegedly referenced the cult in the artwork for “New Patek.”
The image in question depicts Uzi Vert reaching through a keyhole similar to the symbol associated with Heaven’s Gate. The cult members told Page Six they will likely pursue a copyright infringement suit against the rapper if they fail to reach an agreement.
“Our attorneys are working with him on direct and clear infringement of trademarks, copyrights and use of logo,” they said in an email. “We are also dealing with expressions of ‘Fair Use,’ which is cited when this kind of image is displayed. The artist has to be careful to not make full use of the spirit and meaning of the Group while altering images of it to make it look like he isn’t infringing.
“We will see what can be sorted out. It is in the hands of attorneys.”
In early August, the Luv Is Rage artist unveiled the cover for his sophomore studio album, presumably titled Eternal Atake. The art was a much more obvious reference to the Heaven’s Gate logo. As you can see below, both images feature the aforementioned keyhole symbol, the same font, as well as the galaxy background.
“He is using and adapting our copyrights and trademarks without our permission and the infringement will be taken up with our attorneys,” a rep for the surviving members told Genius last month. “This is not fair use or parody, it [is] a direct and clear infringement.”
Uzi Vert has yet to publicly respond to the infringement allegations.
