Crocs takes legal steps to protect its trademarks

The company has already won legal protection for its patent rights in the USA .

The Crocs company has lodged a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission (ITC), requesting an investigation into alleged violations of its registered trademarks caused by items of imported footwear. These trademarks are federally registered with the US Patent and Trademark Office.

Crocs hopes to prevent the importation into the USA of products that are believed to infringe on its trademark rights and their subsequent sale. It is reportedly seeking a successful ruling that will apply in perpetuity to any importer of such products which seeks to unfairly trade off the company’s success.

In 2006, a request was filed with the ITC which related to both the design and the utility patent rights for the company’s ‘Classic Clog’. The ITC thereafter issued a general exclusion order which barred the importation of any product which infringed Crocs’ patent rights. In its current action, the company is seeking to obtain the same relief with respect to its trademarks.

“We pride ourselves in creating iconic products that are distinctly Crocs,” commented chief executive Andrew Rees, “and this decisive action further demonstrates our commitment to protecting our brand, our trademarks and other intellectual property.”

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 2 of the July/August 2021 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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