US brand Skechers has won a European Union (EU)-wide preliminary injunction against footwear brand Dockers by Gerli over design infringement.

Skechers sued Dockers in the Dusseldorf Regional Court in Dusseldorf, Germany for allegedly selling a shoe style that infringes on its patented Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins designs.

On 5 October 2023, the court found that the Dockers shoe design infringed on one of Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins’ heel pillow designs.

With the preliminary injunction, Dockers has been prohibited from selling its shoe in the European Union.

Skechers president Michael Greenberg said: “This lawsuit is one of the many enforcement measures that Skechers is taking against third parties worldwide to protect its intellectual property rights in Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins designs and technologies.

“While the ruling can be appealed, we are very pleased that the German court in the first instance acknowledged Skechers’ rights and immediately stopped the sale of the offending shoe style throughout the European Union.

“Skechers invests tremendous resources into product development to introduce fresh, unique and exciting footwear to its customers year in and year out. While Skechers always prefers to compete in the marketplace rather than the courtroom, the company has no choice but to seek legal recourse when competitors infringe on our intellectual property rights. Skechers will continue to aggressively police and enforce its proprietary rights in Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins.”

In July this year, three US fashion designers filed a lawsuit against China-based fast fashion retailer Shein for violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act (RICO).