A group of models alleging violation of their rights have sued Skechers USA Inc. for $10 million.

The complaint filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court alleges that the Manhattan Beach shoemaker paid a “small sum of money” only for domestic use of the images featuring the models in its advertisements, David Shraga, partner at West Los Angeles law firm Kawahito Shraga & Westrick LLP said in a statement late Tuesday.

However, the lawsuit alleges that Skechers knew it did not pay for or have the rights to use the models’ images in a global campaign. The company “disregarded these limitations and embarked on a successful worldwide branding campaign that was built around the images of these young models,” Shraga said.

In doing so, Skechers took advantage of young models who would find it difficult to discover the wrongdoing that took place in foreign countries. The lawsuit seeks at least $10 million in punitive damages and other compensation.

Skechers had not yet commented on the lawsuit by Wednesday morning.

Shares were down 30 cents, or 2 percent, to $15.53 in midday trading on the New York Stock Exchange.