Companies

Skechers files patent infringement lawsuit against Rockport

Sep 20, 2024 United States

The US-based company is accusing Rockport, as well as its parent company Authentic Brands Group and its licensee Marc Fisher, of allegedly making and selling shoes that infringe on its patented slip-in technology

The complaint identifies Rockport’s Tristen Step Activated Slip On shoes and the Tristen Step Activated Lace-Up shoes as the models that allegedly infringe on its patents. The company specifically pointed to the heel cups and upper construction as being infringed, according to Footwear News.

“Defendants [Rockport, Marc Fisher and Authentic] did so without even contacting Skechers to request a license to Skechers’ intellectual property protecting the innovations used in those shoes,” Skechers wrote in the complaint filed in the Southern District of New York. By pursuing this lawsuit, the company is seeking “to stop the defendants’ patent infringement” and to obtain fair compensation for such infringement.

Skechers’ slip-in design has previously been the subject of other patent infringement lawsuits. Just last year, it sued non-slip footwear company Laforst for patent infringement, which was later settled. Other known patent infringement settlements include Hermès, Brooks and Fila.

About Rockport

Authentic Brands Group (ABG) bought the Rockport brand last year after it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and Marc Fisher, an established partner of the group, was selected to oversee the design, wholesale, and e-commerce for the brand through a licensing agreement.

Image Credits: skechers.pt

United States ABG Authentic Brands Group Footwear Legal Skechers