- Sneaker manufacturers including Nike, Skechers and Allbirds are involved in ongoing design infringement lawsuits.
- Nike alleges that Skechers blatantly copied its VaporMax, AirMax 270, Converse (subsidiary) Chuck Taylor and Flyknit sneaker designs (eight patents).
- While Skechers denies claims, the only visible difference is the logo.
- Low-cost sneaker manufacturers such as Skechers are trying to emulate Zara’s fast-fashion model of copying higher-end brands to quickly meet current trends.
- This shift has resulted in more sneakers being purchased (24.8 billion last year) and thrown away (pollution).
