China Inflation Cools in June as Producer Prices Hit Four-Year High 
Texas Man Charged After Fatal Tesla Full Self-Driving Crash in Katy 
Japan Regional Bank Stocks Drop After Zentoshin Bankruptcy Sparks Credit Risk Concerns 
Japan Eyes Bigger GPIF Investment in Domestic Assets as BOJ Independence Concerns Grow 
Iran Targets U.S. Bases in Bahrain, Kuwait as Hormuz Conflict Escalates and Oil Prices Jump 
DOJ Seeks Dismissal of Gautam Adani Bribery Case, Citing Foreign Scope 
US Back-to-School Spending Seen Falling as Families Focus on Essentials 
US Appeals Court Limits ICE Detention Without Bond Hearings After 90 Days 
Chinese Chip Stocks Jump as Apple Reportedly Tests CXMT Memory Chips for China Devices 
Asian Currencies Slip as Stronger US Dollar, Iran Tensions Pressure Regional FX 
Dollar Slips as Oil Prices Ease, Fed Rate Outlook Remains Uncertain 
Morgan Stanley Names Marks & Spencer Top European Retail Pick, Sees Strong Upside 
ICC Judges Sue Trump Administration Over Sanctions, Calling Measures Unlawful 
Cuba Power Outage Sparks Havana Protests as Fuel Crisis Deepens 
SK Hynix’s $28B U.S. IPO Draws Strong Demand as AI Chip Boom Fuels Investor Interest 
SK Hynix’s $28 Billion U.S. Share Sale Draws Massive Demand Amid AI Chip Boom 
Netflix, Disney, YouTube Eye FIFA World Cup TV Rights in Multi-Billion Dollar Battle 
Nike and Converse have settled a custom-sneaker lawsuit against its former employee Jeffrey Waskowiak and his company KickRich LLC over a case involving trademark infringement, dilution, false designation of origin, and unfair competition.
The brands sued Waskowiak and KickRich on July 19, 2021, in the District of Oregon due to their alleged practice of reselling materially altered Nike and Converse products that they have never approved or authorized.”
According to Nike and Converse, the defendants acquired genuine Nike and Converse footwear and then altered the uppers to create custom footwear products that still display their brand logos.
The plaintiffs alleged that the unauthorized customizations limit their abilities to control their brands, business reputations, and associated goodwill.
The plaintiffs also claimed that the altered footwear falsely affiliated them with other brands, such as Amazon by mashing up an authentic Nike Air Jordan 1 shoe, adding Amazon Prime branding in multiple locations, including next to the signature Nike Swoosh design.
The plaintiffs also claimed that the defendants “make and sell laser cut and digital download ‘shoe patterns' that let others fake several of Nike's iconic and trade-dress protected footwear styles, including the Air Force 1, the Dunk, and the Air Jordan 1”.
Lastly, the plaintiffs alleged that the defendants have created confusion in the marketplace by including the plaintiffs' vintage logos and slogans, as well as references to Waskowiak's prior employment as a Nike footwear developer, which suggests authorization. The plaintiffs not only sought monetary damages but also injunctive relief.
In December, the parties filed a proposed judgment that emphasized Nike and Converse as the “exclusive owners” of several trademarks and trade dress.
The proposal also included a permanent injunction against KickRich for infringing and diluting the trademarks and for using false designations of origin through its practice of promoting, offering for sale, and selling the products.
Interestingly, KickRich may offer and promote customization services of genuine Nike and Converse products, according to the terms of the Parties' settlement agreement.
As the settlement agreement is confidential, it is unknown what KickRich is permitted to do when providing said customization services.
