Skechers and nonslip shoe maker Laforst Shoes quietly settled a patent dispute last month, according to court documents.
In August, Skechers accused Laforst of infringing on its patents around its “hands free” slip-in shoe styles, which were the subject of high-profile Super Bowl ads starring Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg earlier this year. The attorneys for Skechers argued that Laforst sold a shoe which infringed on Skechers’ patents, particularly the heel design.
Judge Josephine Staton ruled in favor of Skechers and against Laforst on each of Skechers’ five claims of patent infringement. She similarly prohibited Laforst from manufacturing, using or selling the Laforst Hands Free Shoe in the U.S. and any other shoe that has features claimed in the patents.
The judgment, filed in the United States District Court Central District of California, states that Laforst and Skechers both signed a settlement agreement “that resolves all the issues raised in this action.” Both companies are paying their own attorney fees. Skechers had previously sought financial compensation for the infringement, the cost of the suit and attorneys fees, and other damages.
Skechers has sued other high-profile brands in disputes that have been settled, including Hermès, Brooks, Fila, Reebok and Steve Madden.
Skechers’ hands free design was also subject to a patent dispute against Dockers in a regional court in Germany. In October, that court granted Skechers a preliminary injunction against the company.
However, Nike recently accused Skechers, along with New Balance, of patent infringement. Some Skechers shoes that Nike takes issue with include the hands free slip-in design. Nike and Skechers have been involved in patent disputes four times before, many of which were mutually dismissed.
