NIKE SUES SKECHERS FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT
image source: nike.com
Nike Inc. has filed a lawsuit in Oregon federal court against Skechers USA Inc. claiming Skechers infringed on eight design patents. This is not the first time Nike has accused Skechers of infringement. Converse, a subsidiary of Nike, has been involved in trademark infringement litigation with Skechers for a little over a year. Adidas also filed suit against Skechers for trademark infringement less than four months ago.
In the complaint, Nike alleges that "the overall appearance of the designs of the Nike patents and the corresponding designs of Skechers' infringing shoes are substantially the same." The company is requesting a judge issue an injunction barring Skechers from selling the allegedly infringing products. In addition, Nike is also seeking other remedies including profits from sales of the products.
Below is a comparison between a sneaker from Nike's FlyKnit brand and the Skechers Burst sneaker which Nike alleges infringes three of its design patents. The suit sites the other allegedly infringing sneakers as Skecher's Flex Appeal, Skech Appeal and Flex Advantage brands.
source: law360