Adidas Sues Skechers over Lookalikes

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Adidas AG says Skechers USA Inc. is selling Adidas knockoffs and has sued the shoemaker for trademark infringement.

Adidas filed the suit Monday in federal district court in Portland, Ore., alleging Skechers is selling copies of a sneaker similar to Adidas’ popular Stan Smith shoe as well as other designs.

“Adidas filed a lawsuit yesterday against Skechers to protect its valuable intellectual property and put an end to a long-term pattern of unlawful conduct by Skechers to sell shoes that infringe Adidas’ rights,” Adidas said in a statement. “Adidas will not stand silently while Skechers copies the iconic Stan Smith shoe and uses terms like ‘Adidas Originals’ and ‘Stan Smith’ as keywords on its website to divert customers looking for authentic Adidas shoes.”

Search for “Stan Smith” on Skechers’ website, and the only result is the white and green women’s Onix sneaker>, which bears a striking resemblance to Adidas’ classic Stan Smith.

Both are made of white leather with perforations along the side and a green accent on the heel and tongue.

Skechers spokeswoman Lauren Dutko said the company does not comment on pending litigation.

Skechers is no stranger to lawsuits, on both the giving and receiving ends. Last year, the company filed a lawsuit against Adidas for its Reebok International’s Walk Ahead RS shoes. Skechers was also sued last year by Aura Technologies in New York after allegations that four Skechers shoe models infringed on one of that company’s sneakers.

Skechers shares fell 3 percent Tuesday to close at $139.92.

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