In the sneaker industry, if it’s not one thing, it’s always another. And like 50% of the time, it’s Nike suing someone for copyright infringement. Off the top of our heads, we can count a few lawsuits that Nike threw at brands. For example, we have Skechers, BAPE, Warren Lotas, MSCHF, and many more getting slammed with lawsuits. The legal team at Nike HQ is definitely one of the busiest departments. And now, Nike sues The Shoe Surgeon, which is a pretty interesting step from the Swoosh. So, let’s see what this lawsuit is all about, shall we?
Who Is The Shoe Surgeon?
Dominic Chambrone, aka The Shoe Surgeon, is one of the most famous customizers in the sneaker industry. You see, he doesn’t just customize, nope. He is a cobbler through and through, taking down kicks and putting them back together. From upgrading materials to adding artistic touches to kicks, he can do it all. Mind you, his work isn’t for everyone, because you’ll need deep pockets to afford his customs! For example, if you check out the SRGN website, you’ll find custom Sambas that are worth $2,000… yep.
Nike Sues The Shoe Surgeon – The Details
After getting slammed by Goyard’s lawsuit, The Shoe Surgeon catches heat from the Swoosh itself. According to Sneaker Legal on Instagram, Nike accused him of trademark infringement and counterfeit designs. They filed the lawsuit in the Southern District of New York, and the complaint was about The Shoe Surgeon’s illicit Nike empire. According to Nike, the shoes that the Surgeon sells are counterfeit by principle. In addition to that, the brand claimed that his business misleads people to think that he is affiliated with Nike.
That’s not where the complaint ends though. You see, Nike went on to say that they tried to resolve the issue on multiple occasions. And on these occasions, the Surgeon’s kicks get removed from the site, only to reappear later. Moreover, the brand is going after his brick-and-mortar location, The Shoe Surgeon Academy, where he teaches people how to create Nike-branded shoes from scratch. Finally, this lawsuit is worth a whopping $60 Million! So far, The Shoe Surgeon has not addressed this lawsuit.
Nike Sues The Shoe Surgeon Too Late? What the Public Thinks
You know, there are always two sides to every story, and we’re here to tell them both! You see, some people are calling out Nike for hypocrisy because they used The Shoe Surgeon to make a 1-of-1 LeBron custom. But that’s not the point of the lawsuit, others are saying, which is kinda true. After all, Nike is not going after Nike customs, they’re going after the production of illicit Nike products. And, they’re going after the fact that the Surgeon is teaching others how to make them.
So, is the sneaker customization era at an end because of this lawsuit? Well, we’re gonna have to wait and see how this legal drama pans out. And if you wanna stay up to speed on all news about the sneaker industry, check out our blog. Godspeed!
