adidas sues Skechers for copying Stan Smith shoes

Sportswear giant adidas AG filed a lawsuit recently against Skechers for trademark infringement, resulting from the US footwear company's selling of sneakers that closely resemble adidas' Stan Smith shoes.

The Stan Smith shoes are based on a 1963 footwear worn by tennis star Stan Smith that features green markings on the white uppers. The shoes also have perforations that form adidas' signature three lines. The Onix shoes by Skechers are also white with green markings and holes, although the perforations are punched in a pattern of five lines.

In a statement, the Germany-based company said that it is suing Skechers "to protect its valuable intellectual property and put an end to a long-term pattern of unlawful conduct by Skechers to sell shoes that infringe adidas' rights. Adidas will not stand silently while Skechers copies the iconic Stan Smith shoe and uses terms like 'Adidas Originals' and 'Stan Smith' as keywords on its website to divert customers looking for authentic Adidas shoes."

Previously, a search for 'Stan Smith' or 'adidas Originals' on Skechers' website yields the white-and-green Onix sneakers, which bear a striking resemblance to the adidas' classic. That same search now shows no results.

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