Footwear company Skechers takes legal action against Marc Fisher and Authentic Brands Group, alleging copyright infringement on shoe design.
In a recent development, Skechers has filed a patent infringement complaint against Authentic Brands Group (ABG) and Marc Fisher Holdings. The lawsuit centres around a Rockport shoe design that Skechers claims infringes upon its slip-in shoe design patent.
ABG, which owns a portfolio of over 50 lifestyle brands, including Vince, Hunter, and Boardriders, purchased the Rockport brand last year. The financial terms of the deal, however, were not disclosed.
Rockport filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2023, marking its second bankruptcy in five years. At the time, the company stated in its filings that it had an inadequate liquidity cushion to survive further economic challenges.
The complaint specifically targets Rockport's Tristen Step Activated Slip On shoes, alleging they infringe on Skechers' slip-in design patent. This design, which has been featured in several high-profile advertising campaigns, including Super Bowl ads starring Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg, is a patented feature that Skechers claims is also present in the Rockport shoes in question.
This is not the first time Skechers' slip-in design has been the subject of patent infringement complaints. Last year, Skechers settled a case against nonslip shoemaker Laforst over similar allegations.
Skechers is seeking a jury trial, undisclosed monetary damages, and attorneys' fees for the patent infringement case. As of the article's publication, spokespeople for Skechers and ABG did not respond to requests for comment.
The lawsuit comes at a time when Skechers is enjoying success, with a recent report revealing a 7% sales increase in another record quarter. Meanwhile, ABG is facing criticism following news of Ted Baker's bankruptcy in North America, due in part to failures by ABG's Europe and UK operators.
It's worth noting that ABG also owns the Reebok brand, and Marc Fisher oversees the design, wholesale, and e-commerce for the Rockport brand through a licensing agreement with ABG. The Rockport shoes in question share the patented qualities of Skechers' slip-ins, specifically a heel design which allows for easier entry to the wearer's foot into the shoe.
The complaint was filed on Sept. 4 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The search results do not contain information about the name of the lawyer or law firm representing Skechers in this patent infringement lawsuit. Skechers has previously settled lawsuits with several other brands, including luxury fashion house Hermès, running shoe makers Brooks and Fila, Authentic-owned Reebok, and lifestyle brand Steve Madden.
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