Skechers has rejected allegations of patent infringement brought by HandsFree Labs, the parent company of rival brand Kizik.
The lawsuit claims Skechers’ Hands Free Slip-Ins violate patents related to Kizik’s Rapid-Entry Footwear technology. In a statement, Skechers described the claims as “baseless” and noted that hands-free footwear concepts have existed for more than a century.
Skechers said that it will “vigorously” defend the patent suit filed in a Texas court against it by Kizik Design, alleging that the entire line of Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins infringes Kizik’s patents.
“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,” Skechers said in a statement.
Michael Greenberg, President of Skechers, added that 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.”
Kizik and its parent company, HandsFree Labs (HFL), claim that Skechers “knowingly and willfully infringed four HFL utility patents, which protect core mechanical innovations that enable true hands-free shoe entry, as well as two HFL design patents, which protect ornamental innovations.”
“This isn’t just a product Skechers copied, it’s a category we created,” said Gareth Hosford, the CEO of HFL. Hosford was appointed CEO in June.
Read here: The details about the lawsuit
