Trump sneaker knockoffs spark lawsuit over copyright infringement

The company behind former President Donald Trump's new sneaker line filed a lawsuit Monday alleging the sale and promotion of counterfeit shoes by a series of individuals and business entities.

The suit, filed in federal court in Arizona, claimed trademark and copyright violations. The defendants were not named — the plaintiffs said they would be identified in a forthcoming sealed document — but the lawsuit said they consisted of individuals, unincorporated business associations, and business entities located largely outside of the United States operating through commercial websites hosted domestically.

Attorneys for the company, 45Footwear LLC, asked the court to prohibit the defendants from any illicit reproduction, along with bans on advertising or selling counterfeit sneakers or operating or registering websites tied to their sales. They also asked that defendants account for and pay them “any and all profits” related to violations of trademark law, or for the court to award $2 million for “each and every use” of the mark counterfeited by each defendant and $25,000 for each copyright violation.

The former president launched the Trump Sneakers line in February. It features three different pairs — high-tops, red laceless athletic shoes and white laceless athletic shoes — ranging in price from $199 to $399, emblazoned with the letter “T,” among other details.

The shoes have also been promoted as a benefit for high-dollar donors. Trump's name, image and likeness were licensed to sell the sneakers. They are not affiliated with his campaign.

Attorneys for 45Footwear said in the lawsuit that they had hired an online fraud investigator who identified people and businesses promoting and selling counterfeit sneakers "before any authentic Sneakers have even been shipped."

Zoë Richards

Zoë Richards is the evening politics reporter for NBC News.