The company behind former President Donald Trump’s new sneaker line, 45Footwear LLC, filed a lawsuit in federal court in Arizona alleging trademark and copyright violations by individuals, unincorporated business associations, and business entities largely located outside the U.S. The defendants, who are not named in the lawsuit, are accused of selling and promoting counterfeit shoes through commercial websites hosted domestically. The lawsuit seeks to prohibit the defendants from engaging in any illicit reproduction, advertising, or selling of counterfeit sneakers, as well as requiring them to pay any profits related to the violations of trademark law.
Trump launched the Trump Sneakers line in February, featuring three different pairs of sneakers with his name, image, and likeness licensed for sale. The shoes, ranging from $199 to $399, have also been promoted as a benefit for high-dollar donors. The lawsuit alleges that counterfeit sneakers were being promoted and sold by the defendants before authentic sneakers had even been shipped. The attorneys for 45Footwear are seeking damages of $2 million for each use of the counterfeit mark by each defendant, as well as $25,000 for each copyright violation.
Overall, the lawsuit aims to protect the intellectual property rights of 45Footwear and prevent the unauthorized sale and promotion of counterfeit Trump Sneakers.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com