12 Oct Skechers Obtains European Union-Wide Preliminary Injunction Against Dockers by Gerli for Infringing on Skechers Hands Free Slip-Ins® Design Patents
LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Skechers USA, Inc., The Comfort Technology CompanyTM, announced today that it has obtained a European Union-wide preliminary injunction against Dockers by Gerli (“Dockers”) for selling a shoe style that infringes on Skechers’ proprietary Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins® designs.
Skechers sued Dockers for design infringement in the Dusseldorf Regional Court in Dusseldorf, Germany. In an October 5, 2023 opinion, the German court found that the Dockers shoe infringed on one of Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins®’ heel pillow designs, and issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting Dockers from continuing to offer its shoe for sale in the European Union.
Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers, stated: “This lawsuit is one of the many enforcement measures that Skechers is taking against third parties worldwide to protect its intellectual property rights in Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins® designs and technologies. While the ruling can be appealed, we are very pleased that the German court in the first instance acknowledged Skechers’ rights and immediately stopped the sale of the offending shoe style throughout the European Union. Skechers invests tremendous resources into product development to introduce fresh, unique and exciting footwear to its customers year in and year out. While Skechers always prefers to compete in the marketplace rather than the courtroom, the Company has no choice but to seek legal recourse when competitors infringe on our intellectual property rights. Skechers will continue to aggressively police and enforce its proprietary rights in Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins®.”
About SKECHERS U.S.A., Inc.
Skechers U.S.A., Inc. (NYSE:SKX), a Fortune 500® company based in Southern California, designs, develops and markets a diverse range of lifestyle and performance footwear, apparel and accessories for men, women and children. Collections from The Comfort Technology Company™ are available in over 180 countries and territories through department and specialty stores, and direct to consumers through digital stores and over 4,700 Company- and third-party-owned physical retail stores. The Company manages its international business through a network of wholly-owned subsidiaries, joint venture partners, and distributors. For more information, please visit about.skechers.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
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