14
Nov
By Eric Schweibenz and Tom Yebernetsky
On November 12, 2014, the U.S. International trade Commission ("Commission") issued a press release announcing their vote to institute an investigation of Certain Footwear Products (Inv. No. 337-TA-936). 

The investigation is based on an October 14, 2014 complaint and a November 4, 2014 supplement to the complaint filed by Converse Inc. of North Andover, Massachusetts ("Converse") alleging violation of Section 337 in the importation into the U.S. and sale of certain footwear products that infringe U.S. Trademark Registration Nos. 4,398,753; 3,258,103; and 1,588,960.  Additionally, Converse alleges violation of Section 337 based upon unfair competition/false designation of origin, common law trademark infringement and unfair competition, and trademark dilution.  See our October 15, 2014 post for more details on the complaint.

According to the Notice of Investigation, the Commission has identified the following as the respondents in this matter:

  • Skechers U.S.A., Inc. of Manhattan Beach, California
  • Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. of Bentonville, Arkansas
  • A-List, Inc., d/b/a Kitson of Los Angeles, California
  • Aldo Group of Canada
  • Brian Lichtenberg, LLC of Los Angeles, California
  • Cmerit USA, Inc., d/b/a Gotta Flurt of Chino, California
  • Dioniso SRL of Italy
  • Edamame Kids, Inc. of Canada
  • Esquire Footwear, LLC of New York, New York
  • FILA U.S.A., Inc. of Sparks, Maryland
  • Fortune Dynamic, Inc. of City of Industry, California
  • Gina Group, LLC of New York, New York
  • H&M Hennes & Mauritz LP of New York, New York
  • Highline United LLC d/b/a Ash Footwear USA of New York, New York
  • Hitch Enterprises Pty Ltd d/b/a Skeanie of Australia
  • Iconix Brand Group, Inc. d/b/a Ed Hardy of New York, New York
  • Kmart Corp. of Hoffman Estates, Illinois
  • Mamiye Imports LLC d/b/a Lilly of New York
  • Nowhere Co., Ltd. d/b/a Bape of Japan
  • OPPO Original Corp. of City of Industry, California
  • Orange Clubwear, Inc. d/b/a Demonia Deviant of Westminster, California
  • Ositos Shoes, Inc. d/b/a Collection'O of South El Monte, California
  • PW Shoes Inc. of Maspeth, New York
  • Ralph Lauren Corp. of New York, New York
  • Shenzhen Foreversun Industrial Co., Ltd. (a/k/a Shenzhen Foreversun Shoes Co., Ltd.) of China
  • Shoe Shox of Seattle, Washington
  • Tory Burch LLC of New York, New York
  • Zulily, Inc. of Seattle, Washington
  • Fujian Xinya I&E Trading Co. Ltd. of China
  • Zhejiang Ouhai International Trade Co. Ltd. of China
  • Wenzhou Cereals Oils & Foodstuffs Foreign Trade Co. Ltd. of China