Nike sues Skechers over similar shoe designs

Los Angeles - Footwear and activewear brand Nike is officially suing competitor footwear company Skechers. On January 4, Nike filed a lawsuit claiming that Skechers infringed on some of their designs.

The lawsuit included 14-pages which also documented exhibits spanning over 168 pages. The two designs in question include Nike’s Flyknit and Boost labels. Skechers’ Burst and Flex shoe lines are the two lines that Nike alleges infringes on the company’s patent. Specifically, the company is upset about Skechers’ Boy’s Flex Advantage shoes, Women’s Flex Appeal, Men’s Flex Advantage, and Girl’s Skech Appeal. These designs in question were too similar in design for Nike to dismiss. “On information and belief, an ordinary observer will perceive the overall appearance of the designs of the Nike Patents and the corresponding designs of Skechers’ Infringing Shoes to be substantially the same,” Nike stated in a brief.

Previously, Nike has also sued Skechers for a similar reason. In 2014, Converse, which is owned by Nike, sued the company for infringing upon their Chuck Taylor design. The case was filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission where the judge ruled did find infringement on a few of their products. "The Chief Judge found infringing products among all remaining respondents, ruled that three of Converse's federally registered trademarks are valid and enforceable, and recommended a General Exclusion Order," according to a statement released by Nike. However, in the current case it is too soon to tell what the outcome of the design infringement case will be. With Nike’s most recent filing, no court date has been set.