Nike Sues BAPE For Infringing Its Sneaker Trademarks

Nike Inc. sued Japanese fashion brand, A Bathing Ape (also known as BAPE), in New York federal court for allegedly copying some of its most famous shoes. In asserting trademark infringement and dilution claims, Nike alleges that BAPE’s current footwear business “revolves around copying Nike’s iconic designs,” and that some of its footwear are “near verbatim copies of Nike’s Air Force 1, Air Jordan 1, and Dunk sneaker designs.” Nike’s lawsuit is another example of a big-name brand attempting to police its most valuable intellectual property rights.