Nike Sues Skechers Over Patent Violation

Nike Inc. is headed back to court and this time Skechers‘ Flex and Burst styles are in the hot seat.

According to the lawsuit, filed on Jan. 4 in Oregon, Nike alleges that Skechers has infringed on the patent of its Flyknit design and Boost labels. In the lawsuit Nike names the Skechers’ Burst and Flex lines as the ones in question.

The complaint specifically names the Women’s Flex Appeal, Men’s Flex Advantage, Girl’s Skech Appeal, and Boy’s Flex Advantage shoes.

In the 14 page complaint and 168 exhibit document filed on Monday, Nike includes complete illustrations of the eight patents it holds and the offending styles by Skechers. The complaint identifies both upper and sole patents as what is being infringed on.

“On information and belief, an ordinary observer will perceive the overall appearance of the designs of the Nike Patents and the corresponding designs of Skechers’ Infringing Shoes to be substantially the same,” said the company in the brief.

It’s not the first time that Nike has sparred with Skechers to court. Skechers was a part of a 2014 complaint from Nike filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission alleging the company was copying its Converse styles.