NIKE FILES PATENT LAWSUIT AGAINST SKECHERS

by Brian Lipton
Skechers Flex Patent
Skechers Flex Advantage

Nike Inc. has filed a lawsuit in Oregon alleging that Skechers has infringed on the patent of two of its major labels. No court date has yet been set. The lawsuit comes less than four months after Adidas sued Skechers for trademark infringement.

The 14-page complaint, which was filed on January 4, specifically names Skechers’ Women’s Flex Appeal, Men’s Flex Advantage, Girl’s Skech Appeal, and Boy’s Flex Advantage shoes as the styles which have been copied.

According to reports, Nike is asking the court to order Skechers to stop making shoes with the infringing designs, and award Nike an unspecified amount of damages, which could include profits from the sale of Skechers’ shoes.

The two companies have had legal battles in the past. In 2014, Nike filed a complaint against Skechers with the U.S. International Trade Commission alleging the company was copying its Converse styles.