nike sues a bathing ape

nike, claiming trademark infringement over a number of a bathing ape’s (bape) sneakers, filed a formal complaint

• a bathing ape is a japanese clothing brand that has been around for three decades

• nike has asked for three times the amount of compensatory damages

why, and why now?

it’s hard (or practically impossible) to deny that bape’s sta sneakers resemble nike’s designs. then the question becomes, how have they been able to get away with this for over ten years? there’s a number of factors:

1. in 2009, nike and bape reached an agreement that nike would not pursue legal action as long as bape kept its market limited to asia - but recently have been expanding in the states

2. bape modified their designs to more closely resemble nike’s

nike’s on a roll

near the end of last year, nike sued kiy and omi for copying their sneakers as well

the sneaker industry is estimated to be valued at around $86 billion. it is a growing and profitable industry, so it’s in nike’s best interests to protect its brand - so expect that any designs that threaten them will be met with legal action

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as always, i’m no financial advisor! (i’m no substitute for professional financial services)