Crocs has won two patent lawsuits against USA Dawgs and Double Diamond Distribution. The shoe manufacturer had accused the two brands of selling imitation Crocs shoes.
The judgment calls for compensatory damages to Crocs of US$6 million from USA Dawgs and US$55,000 from Double Diamond Distribution. The two brands had started selling Crocs-like shoes in 2006. Both companies have since acknowledged the validity of the Crocs patents.
A year earlier, Crocs had sued 21 companies for infringing on its trademarked shoe design. The lawsuits, which have been filed in the International Trade Commission and various US district courts across the country, seek a disqualification order against infringing products and damages for infringement of Crocs’ three-dimensional trademark rights.
“We are fiercely protective of the Crocs brand and our iconic DNA. We do not condone infringement of our intellectual property rights or anyone attempting to profit from the investments we have made in our brand,” said Daniel Hart, executive vice president and chief legal & risk officer at Crocs. “This ruling is underscoring not only the validity of our patent rights, but also our unwavering determination to take vigorous steps to protect our brand equity.”