Nike Says Wal-Mart Stole Its Swoop
Wal-Mart is being sued by yet another footwear brand - this time, Nike - for allegedly infringing on design patents, Reuters reports.
In June, Adidas accused the retail giant of “stealing its stripes,” the third time it had done so. However, in September the two companies settled a previous lawsuit, filed in 2005, though details of the settlement were not made public, writes FootWear News.
Nike now claims that Wal-Mart is selling shoes that infringe on its Shox brand, a line of athletic footwear designed with what looks like springs in the heels.
In a complaint filed Monday, Oct. 14, Nike asserted that Wal-Mart “knowingly and intentionally sold and continues to sell the infringing Shoes as simulations of Nike shoes.” The company seeks an injunction barring Wal-Mart from selling the shoes and awarding Nike “adequate damages.”
Trademark infringement suits between Wal-Mart and sporting goods manufacturers have not been limited to footwear. Eight years ago both Nike and Adidas-Salomon sued Wal-Mart for selling T-shirts with counterfeit logos at its Sam’s Club warehouse stores, asking for $1 million in damages for each counterfeited style of T-shirt sold.
They were the fifth and sixth major sportswear companies to sue Wal-Mart for selling knockoffs in two years.
