January 31, 2011 9:06 AM
- Text
Nike Sues Over Copied Air Jordan Logo
(AP)
Nike Inc. is suing two Chinese shoemakers and the local operations of a French supermarket chain over alleged illegal copying of its Air Jordan logo, local media reported Tuesday.
Nike, the world's largest sports apparel company, says it found shoes made by the companies being sold in outlets operated by the Auchan chain in Shanghai and the nearby city of Ningbo, the China Daily newspaper said.
It says the shoes, which sold for about $13 a pair, bear the logo of former Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan dunking a basketball, the copyright for which is held by Nike, the report said. Authentic Air Jordans sell for many times that amount.
Beaverton, Ore.-based Nike is suing Auchan's Shanghai and Ningbo offices and shoemakers, Jinjiang Kangwei Shoes Co. Ltd and Jinjiang Longzhibu Shoes Co. Ltd., demanding they cease making and selling the shoes, apologize, and pay 1 million yuan, or $131,000, in damages, the report said.
A second hearing by the Shanghai No. 2 Intermediate People's Court was held on Monday. No decision was announced.
The report cited lawyers for the defendants as questioning the validity of Nike's claims, saying the logo wasn't well known in China, and disputing the amount of damages demanded. Spokesmen for the companies could not immediately be reached.
Nike itself is being sued in the United States by Reebok International Ltd., which alleges its rival infringed on a patent covering "collapsible shoe" technology that allows sneakers to be folded so they can more easily be packed for travel or shipping.
Nike, the world's largest sports apparel company, says it found shoes made by the companies being sold in outlets operated by the Auchan chain in Shanghai and the nearby city of Ningbo, the China Daily newspaper said.
It says the shoes, which sold for about $13 a pair, bear the logo of former Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan dunking a basketball, the copyright for which is held by Nike, the report said. Authentic Air Jordans sell for many times that amount.
Beaverton, Ore.-based Nike is suing Auchan's Shanghai and Ningbo offices and shoemakers, Jinjiang Kangwei Shoes Co. Ltd and Jinjiang Longzhibu Shoes Co. Ltd., demanding they cease making and selling the shoes, apologize, and pay 1 million yuan, or $131,000, in damages, the report said.
A second hearing by the Shanghai No. 2 Intermediate People's Court was held on Monday. No decision was announced.
The report cited lawyers for the defendants as questioning the validity of Nike's claims, saying the logo wasn't well known in China, and disputing the amount of damages demanded. Spokesmen for the companies could not immediately be reached.
Nike itself is being sued in the United States by Reebok International Ltd., which alleges its rival infringed on a patent covering "collapsible shoe" technology that allows sneakers to be folded so they can more easily be packed for travel or shipping.
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