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Nike’s Converse sues 31 companies

Nike’s Converse brand last week filed lawsuits against 31 companies, including Skechers and Kmart, for making, distributing or selling what it calls knockoff Chuck Taylors.

“Our decision to bring these lawsuits is grounded in the basic principle of fairness, our well-established right and responsibility to protect Converse’s intellectual property, and our commitment to prevent consumer confusion in the marketplace,” Converse President and CEO Jim Calhoun said in a release.

The lawsuits allege that the companies are selling or making shoes that resemble the rubber-toed All Star sneakers, which Converse started selling in 1917.

“The unmatched popularity of the Chuck has led to a market explosion in the production, distribution and sale of knockoffs,” Converse said in a release.

Converse’s actions include one complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission and 19 federal lawsuits against individual companies. Each seeks monetary damages and a court order that would prohibit the sale of knockoffs.

Nike bought Converse in 2003. Converse had nearly $1.7 billion in sales in Nike’s most recent fiscal year, a 16 percent jump from the previous year.

Matthew Kish writes for the Portland Business Journal, an affiliated publication.

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