Converse puts the legal boot in overknock-offs of its Chuck Taylor shoe
Worn by millions all over the world, the Converse sneaker is a slice of Americana beloved by everyone from British public schoolboys to rap stars, from aged rockers to athletes.
Worn by millions all over the world, the Converse sneaker is a slice of Americana beloved by everyone from British public schoolboys to rap stars, from aged rockers to athletes.
Converse is complaining that more than two dozen companies are knocking off, mass-producing and selling imitations of its legendary Chuck Taylor shoe. And it's had enough.
On Tuesday, the Nike subsidiary filed lawsuits against 31 companies for breach of trademark. Among the defendants are Wal-Mart, Ralph Lauren and Tory Burch. Of the 31 companies, four are based in China, two in Canada, one in Australia, one in Italy and one in Japan.
Converse is also demanding that the International Trade Commission ban imports, distribution, sale and use of imitation Converse footwear in the US.
"We welcome fair competition, but we do not believe companies have a right to copy the Chuck's trademarked look," Converse CEO Jim Calhoun said.