Latest news with #Slip-ins
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Skechers Calls Kizik's Hands-Free Slip-On Patent Lawsuit ‘Baseless' as Legal Battle Heats Up
Skechers has responded to Kizik's claims that it allegedly knocked-off several of its patented hands-free slip-on footwear designs. In a statement issued on Monday, Skechers called Kizik's allegations 'baseless,' and said they are 'based on the assertion that Kizik created the hands-free footwear category and is the only company that can legally use that century-old idea.' More from WWD Kizik Parent Sues Skechers for Allegedly Knocking Off Hands-Free Slip-On Shoe Tech Skechers Secures Legal Win to Move Forward on Acquisition Skechers Signs WNBA Star Jackie Young, Expands Basketball Lineup With Custom SKX Nexus Sneakers The Manhattan Beach, Calif.-based footwear company added that 'contrary to Kizik's false assertion that Skechers patents have been rejected, Skechers has developed its own unique Slip-ins technology and has obtained more than 140 utility and design patents worldwide, including in the United States, and has vigilantly enforced its patent rights, resulting in numerous judgements, injunctions and settlements around the world.' Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers, stated on Monday that the 'timing of this lawsuit is curious,' pointing to the new $9.42 billion go-private deal with 3G Capital. 'Kizik asserts that, 'at the heart of Skechers' hands-free shoes' are Kizik's patented technologies, yet Skechers has been advertising and selling its Slip-ins since December 2021 without so much as a letter from Kizik,' Greenberg said. 'Then, after the merger is announced, Kizik hires a law firm also used by Nike and attacks our whole Slip-ins product line. We believe that, after all these years of silence, the true motivation for this lawsuit might be found right on the face of Kizik's complaint, where they state that they are looking for a share of the $9.42 billion being paid for Skechers, money Kizik did not earn and does not deserve.' The footwear executive added that the company will 'aggressively challenge' both the validity of the patents and the infringement claims. When reached by FN on Monday, Gareth Hosford, chief executive officer of HandsFree Labs, said that the company is 'confident' in the strength of its claims outlined in the complaint filed on July 24. 'Our patents are valid, Skechers' infringement is evident, and the facts speak for themselves,' Hosford stated. 'We look forward to conducting discovery and bringing our case before a jury.' The company's lawsuit against Skechers, filed last Thursday, alleges that the company 'knowingly and willfully infringed' four HandsFree Labs utility patents, which protect core mechanical innovations that enable true hands-free shoe entry, as well as two HandsFree Labs design patents, which protect ornamental innovations. Best of WWD All the Retailers That Nike Left and Then Went Back Mikey Madison's Elegant Red Carpet Shoe Style [PHOTOS] Julia Fox's Sleekest and Boldest Shoe Looks Over the Years [Photos] Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Skechers dismisses Kizik's patent allegations as ‘baseless'
Global footwear and apparel company Skechers USA is facing a lawsuit for allegedly infringing on footwear brand Kizik Design's patents. The legal action was initiated on 24 July in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas by HandsFree Labs (HFL), the intellectual property and innovation engine behind Kizik. The lawsuit focuses on Skechers' Hands Free Slip-ins collection, which the company has marketed as a key innovation in the market. According to the filing, Skechers has been accused of infringing upon four utility patents owned by HFL that cover hands-free shoe entry technology, as well as two HFL design patents concerning aesthetic features. In response, Skechers has announced its intent to defend against the patent suit and called the lawsuit 'baseless'. Skechers highlights its own innovation in the space with more than 140 utility and design patents globally, including in the US. Skechers president Michael Greenberg said: 'The timing of this lawsuit is curious, coming on the heels of Skechers announcing a $9.42bn merger with 3G Capital. Kizik asserts that, 'at the heart of Skechers' hands-free shoes' are Kizik's patented technologies, yet Skechers has been advertising and selling its Slip-ins since December 2021 without so much as a letter from Kizik. 'Then, after the merger is announced, Kizik hires a law firm also used by Nike and attacks our whole Slip-ins product line. We believe that, after all these years of silence, the true motivation for this lawsuit might be found right on the face of Kizik's complaint, where they state that they are looking for a share of the $9.42bn being paid for Skechers, money Kizik did not earn and does not deserve.' Skechers said it has a record of defending its intellectual property rights, as evidenced by multiple judgements, injunctions, and settlements worldwide. Last month, a shareholder of Skechers USA launched legal proceedings seeking additional transparency regarding the company's forthcoming acquisition by private equity company 3G Capital. The brand's offerings are globally accessible, with availability in 180 countries and territories in over 5,300 Skechers retail stores. Greenberg added: 'Hands-free footwear has been around for at least a century. It was not created in the 21st century in Utah. We have become the market leader in the hands-free footwear space by innovating - not imitating - this idea into a true hands-free fit with our own technology. "Skechers invests tremendous resources into research and development to introduce its own fresh, unique and exciting footwear to customers year in and year out and will continue to do so, undeterred by transparent litigation efforts to thwart competition. We will aggressively challenge both the validity of the patents and the infringement claims.' "Skechers dismisses Kizik's patent allegations as 'baseless'" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Fashion United
29-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion United
Skechers responds to Kizik's ‘baseless' lawsuit
Footwear giant Skechers USA has said it plans to 'vigorously defend the patent suit' launched against it by HandsFree Lab (HFL), the parent company of Kizik. In a press release, Skechers said HFL's allegations, pertaining to its line of Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins, were 'baseless' and rooted in the 'assertion that Kizik created the hands-free footwear category and is the only company that can legally use that century-old idea'. In the lawsuit, filed with a Texas court, Kizik alleges that Skechers 'knowingly' infringed on four HFL utility patents and two design patents for its slip-in footwear, a line that, according to HFL, was launched without licensing or acknowledging the Kizik brand. The suit goes on to state that a number of related patents pursued by Skechers have been rejected, a claim Skechers calls 'false', with the company underlining that it has 'obtained more than 140 utility and design patents worldwide, including in the US'. In a statement, Skechers' president, Michael Greenberg, expressed suspicion over the timing of the lawsuit, which he notes comes shortly after Skechers announced a 9.42 billion dollars merger with 3G Capital. Despite not receiving 'so much as a letter from Kizik' since launching its Slip-ins line in 2021, Greenberg states that upon the merger's announcement, 'Kizik hires a law firm also used by Nike and attacks our whole Slip-ins product line'. Greenberg continues: 'We believe that, after all these years of silence, the true motivation for this lawsuit might be found right on the face of Kizik's complaint, where they state that they are looking for a share of the 9.42 dollars billion being paid for Skechers, money Kizik did not earn and does not deserve.' According to Greenberg, Skechers has become a 'market leader in the hands-free footwear space' through innovating with technology and investing into research and development. As such, Skechers 'will aggressively challenge both the validity of the patents and the infringement claims', he adds.
Business Wire
28-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Skechers Responds to Kizik's Patent Lawsuit
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Skechers USA, Inc. ('Skechers'), the Comfort Technology Company and leader in hands-free footwear technology, announced today that it will vigorously defend the patent suit filed in Texas federal court against Skechers by Kizik Design, LLC ('Kizik') alleging, in essence, that the entire line of Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins® ('Slip-ins') infringe Kizik's patents. The Company believes that Kizik's allegations are baseless. As owners of a vast portfolio of intellectual property, Skechers respects the rights of others. Kizik's complaint is based on the assertion that Kizik created the hands-free footwear category and is the only company that can legally use that century-old idea. Contrary to Kizik's false assertion that Skechers patents have been rejected, Skechers has developed its own unique Slip-ins technology and has obtained more than 140 utility and design patents worldwide, including in the United States, and has vigilantly enforced its patent rights, resulting in numerous judgements, injunctions and settlements around the world. Michael Greenberg, President of Skechers, stated, 'The timing of this lawsuit is curious, coming on the heels of Skechers announcing a $9.42 billion merger with 3G Capital. Kizik asserts that, 'at the heart of Skechers' hands-free shoes' are Kizik's patented technologies, yet Skechers has been advertising and selling its Slip-ins since December 2021 without so much as a letter from Kizik. Then, after the merger is announced, Kizik hires a law firm also used by Nike and attacks our whole Slip-ins product line. We believe that, after all these years of silence, the true motivation for this lawsuit might be found right on the face of Kizik's complaint, where they state that they are looking for a share of the $9.42 billion being paid for Skechers, money Kizik did not earn and does not deserve.' Mr. Greenberg continued: 'Hands-free footwear has been around for at least a century. It was not created in the 21 st Century in Utah. We have become the market leader in the hands-free footwear space by innovating – not imitating – this idea into a true hands-free fit with our own technology. Skechers invests tremendous resources into research and development to introduce its own fresh, unique and exciting footwear to customers year in and year out and will continue to do so, undeterred by transparent litigation efforts to thwart competition. We will aggressively challenge both the validity of the patents and the infringement claims.' About SKECHERS U.S.A., Inc. Skechers (NYSE:SKX), The Comfort Technology Company ® based in Southern California, designs, develops and markets a diverse range of lifestyle and performance footwear, apparel and accessories for men, women and children. The Company's collections are available in 180 countries and territories through department and specialty stores, and direct to consumers through and more than 5,300 Skechers retail stores. A Fortune 500 ® company, Skechers manages its international business through a network of wholly-owned subsidiaries, joint venture partners, and distributors. For more information, please visit and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. This announcement contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, Skechers' future domestic and international growth, financial results and operations including expected net sales and earnings, its development of new products, future demand for its products, its planned domestic and international expansion, opening of new stores and additional expenditures, and advertising and marketing initiatives. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking language such as 'believe,' 'anticipate,' 'expect,' 'estimate,' 'intend,' 'plan,' 'project,' 'will,' 'could,' 'may,' 'might,' or any variations of such words with similar meanings. Any such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include the disruption of business and operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic; delays or disruptions in our supply chain; international economic, political and market conditions including the effects of inflation, tariffs and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations around the world, the challenging consumer retail markets in the United States, and the impact of wars, acts of war and other conflicts around the world; sustaining, managing and forecasting costs and proper inventory levels; losing any significant customers; decreased demand by industry retailers and cancellation of order commitments due to the lack of popularity of particular designs and/or categories of products; maintaining brand image and intense competition among sellers of footwear for consumers, especially in the highly competitive performance footwear market; anticipating, identifying, interpreting or forecasting changes in fashion trends, consumer demand for the products and the various market factors described above; sales levels during the spring, back-to-school and holiday selling seasons; and other factors referenced or incorporated by reference in Skechers' annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q in 2025. Taking these and other risk factors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic into consideration, the dynamic nature of these circumstances means that what is stated in this press release could change at any time, and as a result, actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. The risks included here are not exhaustive. Skechers operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time and we cannot predict all such risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all such risk factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Moreover, reported results should not be considered an indication of future performance.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Skechers signs Kartik Aaryan as new brand ambassador for India
Skechers has announced Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan its new brand ambassador for India. The actor will first appear in a marketing campaign supporting the brand's signature Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins footwear, the press note stated. Rahul Vira , chief executive officer of Skechers South Asia Pvt., said, "As a prominent contemporary youth icon, Aaryan's broad appeal coupled with his dynamic persona will help keep Skechers in the mind of consumers shopping for our in-demand lifestyle and athletic footwear across India. We believe Kartik's influence will amplify our connection with his fans who value the innovation and comfort that is only offered by Skechers.' Aaryan said, 'I am excited to collaborate with Skechers—a brand that stands at the intersection of cutting-edge performance and contemporary style. What truly impressed me is their relentless focus on innovation, especially the Slip-ins technology, which redefines convenience without compromising on design.' Aaryan joins a Skechers roster that includes Indian actress Ananya Panday , along with elite athletes including footballers Sunil Chhetri, Harry Kane, Baris Alper Yilmaz, Isco Alarcón and Mohammed Kudus; cricket players Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan and Yastika Bhatia; pickleball pros Sonu Vishwakarma, Vrushali Thakare, Vanshik Kapadia and Mayur Patil; as well as basketball stars Julius Randle, Joel Embiid, Norman Powell and Rickea Jackson.
