(Reuters) – Nike Inc sued Japanese style model A Bathing Ape, also called BAPE, in New York on Wednesday for allegedly copying a few of its most well-known footwear.
The shoe big’s Manhattan federal courtroom lawsuit stated BAPE’s shoe enterprise “revolves round copying iconic Nike designs” and that a few of its footwear are “close to verbatim” copies of Air Power 1 sneakers. , Air Jordan 1 and Nike Dunk.
Representatives for the businesses didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
BAPE, based by designer Tomoaki Nagao, is owned by Hong Kong-based IT Ltd. In response to the lawsuit, BAPE started promoting merchandise in america within the mid-2000s.
Nike stated gross sales of BAPE’s footwear in america had been “sporadic” till 2021, when it “drastically elevated the quantity and scope of its infringement.”
“BAPE’s copying is and all the time has been unacceptable to Nike, and since BAPE infringements have not too long ago change into a big hazard to Nike’s rights, Nike should act now,” the lawsuit says.
Nike additionally stated that BAPE “refused” to cease the alleged violations when requested.
The lawsuit says BAPE’s designs will trigger confusion amongst potential clients. He cited secondary market sellers referring to BAPE footwear as “Air Power 1” or “Dunks.”
Nike requested the courtroom to order BAPE to cease promoting the footwear and requested an unspecified sum of money in damages.
The case is Nike Inc v. USAPE LLC, US District Court docket for the Southern District of New York, No. 1:23-cv-00660.
For Nike: Arnold & Porter’s Michael Sebba, Christopher Renk, Michael Harris and Aaron Bowling Kaye Scholer
For BAPE: lawyer data not out there
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