Sketchers Complains Against LL Bean In US District Court For Replicating Shoes

Sketchers Complains Against LL Bean In US District Court For Replicating Shoes

Seeks unspecified damages, including triple damages for willful infringement, and to stop sales of the infringed footwear

Footwear maker Sketchers USA Inc has sued LL Bean, accusing the clothing and outdoor gear company of illegally copying its shoes.

In the Skechers USA Inc et al v LL Bean Inc case, a complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court - Southern District of New York.

Sketchers blamed LL Bean's Freeport casual shoes for infringing upon two patented designs for ‘heel cups’ around the back of the foot.

The world's third-largest footwear company called its designs "unique and eye-catching" because they use "graceful, sweeping, gently rolling lines and slopes" resembling the shape of a heel.

Sketchers stated, "Only after Sketchers incurred substantial risk and monumental expense of developing and promoting shoes with these heel cup designs, and established that they had broad appeal, LL Bean entered the market with its infringing shoes.”

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, including triple damages for willful infringement, and to stop sales of the infringed shoes.

Skechers has sued at a time when many Americans concerned about inflation are keeping a lid on discretionary spending.

The Freeport shoes, sharing the name of LL Bean's Maine hometown, retail for $99 on its website.

Founded in 1912, LL Bean is privately held, whereas, Skechers was founded 80 years later and is based in Manhattan Beach, California.