In DC, Marissa Payne noted Argentina-based streetwear and lifestyle brand Baller Brand has accused LaVar Ball's Big Baller Brand of "copying their idea." A Baller Brand spokesperson said that it had registered the company in the U.S. and that they are "currently evaluating whether to take legal action." While Baller Brand appears to be a "well-developed brand in Argentina ... it does not appear to have many U.S. followers." A Baller Brand spokesperson said that the company decided to go public with its complaints against the Balls because of the "amount of attention the basketball family and their brand are getting due to LaVar Ball's outspokenness and Lonzo Ball's high draft stock" (WASHINGTON POST, 5/20).
BROKEN PROMISE? In Portland, Matthew Kish noted New Zealand-based Puku on Friday filed a federal lawsuit against Nike, "alleging the sportswear giant broke a patent licensing deal." It "seeks $850,000 in damages" and is represented by Portland-based law firm Stoll Berne. Puku claims it signed a deal with Nike in March '11 whereby Nike "purchased several of its golf patents and agreed to file the necessary paperwork to ensure the patents remained enforceable in other countries." It claims Nike "did not take action to protect the patents in certain countries" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 5/19).
THE END OF THE TREND: The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Sara Germano noted the "retro Adidas white-shoe trend has peaked." The shift is a "significant development for the sneaker industry, which was upended by the Adidas retro-craze over the past few years and sapped demand for higher-priced basketball shoes" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 5/20).
