Michael Loccisano/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
<p>Nike is reportedly suing BAPE for allegedly copying the designs of its most iconic sneakers. According to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/nike-lawsuit-says-fashion-brand-bape-copied-famous-sneaker-designs-2023-01-25/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reuters</a>, the lawsuit was filed in a Manhattan federal court on Wednesday.</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">The Lawsuit &#8220;Revolves Around Copying Nike&#8217;s Iconic Designs&#8221;</h3>
<p>According to the outlet, Nike&#8217;s lawsuit &#8220;revolves around&#8221; BAPE, also known as A Bathing Ape, &#8220;copying Nike&#8217;s iconic designs.&#8221; The <a href="https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/legaldocs/jnvwywnkrvw/IP%20NIKE%20TRADEMARKS%20complaint.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lawsuit</a> states that &#8220;Nike owns some of the world’s most valuable trademarks.&#8221; And its &#8220;trade dress designs for its iconic Air Force 1, Air Jordan 1, and Dunk sneakers&#8221; have been compromised by the sale of the &#8220;BAPE STA, BAPE STA Mid, SK8 STA, COURT STA High, and COURT STA&#8221; sneakers.</p>
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<p>&#8230; the BAPE STA,</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 1.1em;">BAPE STA Mid, SK8 STA, COURT STA High, and COURT STA—are near verbatim copies of Nike’s Air Force 1, Air Jordan 1, and Dunk sneaker designs.</span></p>
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<p>The lawsuit adds that &#8220;BAPE is one such copyist whose infringements have recently grown to become a significant danger to Nike’s rights.&#8221;</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">The Lawsuit Was Prompted By A Drastic Increase In BAPE Footwear Sales In 2021</h3>
<p>According to the lawsuit, BAPE began selling its footwear in the mid-2000s. However, Nike noted that US sales of the brand&#8217;s sneakers were &#8220;sporadic&#8221; until 2021 when its footwear sales &#8220;drastically increased the volume and scope of its infringement.&#8221;</p>
<blockquote><p>BAPE&#8217;s copying is and always has been unacceptable to Nike, and because BAPE&#8217;s infringements have recently grown to become a significant danger to Nike&#8217;s rights, Nike must act now.</p></blockquote>
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<p>In addition, the lawsuit adds that the high sale of BAPE sneakers causes &#8220;confusion among potential customers.&#8221; Nike reportedly &#8220;cited secondary-market sellers who referred to the BAPE shoes as &#8216;Air Force 1s&#8217; or &#8216;Dunks.'&#8221;</p>
<p>According to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/nike-lawsuit-says-fashion-brand-bape-copied-famous-sneaker-designs-2023-01-25/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reuters</a>, Nikes has asked the court to stop BAPE from selling the shoes. And requested an undisclosed amount of money for damages. Roommates, do you agree with Nike&#8217;s stance?</p>
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