Under Armour Alleges Skechers Copied "Protect This House" Spots, Seeks Injunction, Damages

Under Armour has "filed a federal suit against Skechers, alleging the California-based shoe and apparel company violated copyright protections by copying the look and feel of its 'Protect This House. I Will' ads -- right down to the music," according to Jeff Barker of the Baltimore SUN. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Baltimore this week, "says Skechers' sports circuit training commercial 'slavishly copies' Under Armour’s 'highly promoted, successful, and recognized' ads." UA asked the court to "halt the Skechers commercials, and order its competitor to pay unspecified damages, plus profits Skechers received from the ad" (BALTIMORESUN.com, 2/11). In Baltimore, Sarah Meehan noted similarities between the commercials "include scenes of athletes climbing pegboards, whipping heavy ropes, boxing and jumping hurdles." UA also alleges that the Skechers commercial "uses a similar soundtrack" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 2/11).