MIAMI COMPANY FACES PATENT INFRINGEMENT LAWSUIT
According to an article in the Miami Herald, Texas athletic shoe maker Heelys has targeted Miami-based Levy Marketing in a patent infringement lawsuit filed in federal court. Similar suits by Heelys have been filed in Orlando, Los Angeles, and Sherman, Texas over the past month.
Heelys is attempting to try and stop what it calls "knockoff" versions of its product from unauthorized sales. The lawsuit against Levy Marketing accuses the company of selling knockoffs of the Heelys to "kiosk retail outles in various malls" throughout the country.
Levy representatives maintain that they do not sell skate shoes, but lighters and souvenirs in stores in beach-resort areas.
Sales of Heely shoes have soared, and the shoes are so popular with youngsters that "heely" is now a verb among them, as in "heely" down the street.
The lawsuits were filed by Heeling Sports, which is affiliated with Heelys. The Levy Marketing lawsuit did not include a name or picture of the shoes it is accused of selling. Heely has, however, accused one Dallas-based defendant of selling knockoffs under "Air Sports."
A slow and tortuous death to all who challenge Heelys. Long live Heelys.
"Some day all shoes will have a wheel in the heel."
I don't know how Heelys thinks they can sue everyone over these shoes. It's obvious that there is a patent# 6926289 out there that protects the Air Sports shoes.
I think they're pissed because they didn't think of it first and the Air shoes sell better.
Here's the patent link http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPAT6926289