Two struggling shoe companies take to court.
BY JACOB PALMER | DIGITAL NEWS EDITOR
Adidas alleges Skechers is stealing their signature style in a lawsuit filed Monday.
The suit — which was filed in Federal court in Oregon — contains 318 pages of exhibits that Adidas believes proves Skechers is knocking off their brand.
“Adidas filed (the) lawsuit today against Skechers to protect its valuable intellectual property and to put an end to a long-term pattern of unlawful conduct by Skechers to sell shoes that infringe Adidas’ rights,” Adidas said in a news release. “We believe Skechers’ unlawful behavior, which also includes misappropriation of Adidas’ Supernova and three-stripe trademark, needs to stop now.”
Trademark lawsuits are common in the apparel industry. In August, Adidas filed a similar lawsuit against Forever 21 and private label manufacturer Central Mills Inc.
Last year Nike Inc. (NYSE: NKE) made headlines when it sued 31 companies over alleged knockoffs of the Converse brand’s classic Chuck Taylor sneakers. Nike owns the Converse brand.
(SOURCE: Portland Business Journal)
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