Makers Of Trump Sneakers Seek Millions In Damages From Counterfeit Sellers In Federal Suit
Topline
The makers of former President Donald Trump's line of high-top sneakers filed a lawsuit on Monday seeking to crack down on online merchants selling counterfeits after limited edition versions of the shoes sold out within a couple of hours after launch.
Former President Donald Trump launched his line of signature shoes at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia earlier this year. Getty Images
Key Facts
In a filing with the U.S. federal court in Arizona, the company 45Footwear LLC. requested an order prohibiting the sale of the counterfeits, registering and operating websites promoting their sale, and infringement of their trademarked logos and designs.
The shoemaker has also sought “any and all profits” earned by the counterfeit sellers, or damages of $2 million for “each and every” unauthorized use of their trademarks, along with $25,000 for each copyright violation (involving their use of their promotional images for the sneakers).
The filing does not name any defendants—with the plaintiff noting they will be shared under seal—but refers to them as “individuals, unincorporated business associations, and business entities who…reside primarily outside of the United States.”
The plaintiff alleges websites used to sell or advertise the counterfeits are registered in Arizona by the domain registry firm GoDaddy and Namecheap.
The lawsuit notes the defendants are selling knock-offs of the $399 limited edition versions of the sneakers for as low as $99.
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