The competition between Nike and Oakley is featured in
an extensive piece by USA TODAY's Bill Meyers. A front-page
teaser, under the header, "The Michael Jordan Picture Nike
Doesn't Want You To See," includes a photo of a banned
Oakley ad featuring Jordan. A subhead reads, "Does Nike Use
Others' Ideas To Create Its Products?" Oakley has sued Nike
claiming patent infringement on its sunglass line, and Nike
has sued Oakley for its use of Jordan, a Nike and Oakley
endorser, in one of its ads. Meyers: "More than a
difference of style or opinions, the clash between [Oakley
Chair Jim] Jannard and [Nike Chair Phil] Knight has
escalated into a high-stakes David and Goliath conflict that
could affect the financial fortunes of Oakley and Nike."
Once friends, their "relationship has crashed and burned."
Jannard: "Phil's an enemy who was once a friend, but now
that we're here, he's going to have to kill us to beat us."
Knight says Jannard is "taking it much more personally that
I (am)." Meyers adds that the "duo's0 duel comes at an
inopportune time for Oakley and Nike" as both companies have
seen stock shares drop recently (USA TODAY, 12/12).
SNEAKER WARS: Oakley will soon release its own line of
made-in-the USA sneakers and Jannard "believes he can
satisfy the public's hunger for technological innovation
better than Nike." Meyers adds Jannard "might be right" as
Nike "has been accused of borrowing ideas without
permission. USA TODAY has found a number of patent and
trademark infringement complaints, such as Oakley's, that
have been lodged against Nike by individual inventors and
small companies since the 1980s. Nike vigorously denies any
infringement. And it notes that no court has ruled that the
company pirated someone else's idea" (USA TODAY, 12/12).
PULL THE SHADES: Oakley's patent infringement case
against Nike "is expected" to be heard early next month.
While Oakley has experienced a '97 sales slump with its
sunglasses line, Nike has "failed to gain a firm foothold in
the eyewear market." To "stimulate demand, prices on Nike
sunglasses have been cut" and it will expand its line this
spring with seven styles less than $100 (USA TODAY, 12/12).
JORDAN: Oakley was barred from using an ad with Jordan
which showed him wearing Oakley glasses and an Oakley beret.
Nike's deal with Jordan says he "must wear Nike athletic
equipment and apparel from head to toe, with the exception
of eyewear." Jordan says he doesn't "feel any tension" in
the dispute: "My lawyers and business advisors have done a
good job of advising me on avoiding conflicts with my
involvement with both Oakley and Nike" (USA TODAY, 12/12).
