Nike Fires Warning Shot to Sneaker Artists With Trademark Suit

A sneaker artist known as “The Shoe Surgeon” built a customization empire denoted by collaborations with global brands like Nike Inc., Gucci, and Adidas AG and a cult-like social media backing with a million followers. Justin Bieber, Drake, and Odell Beckham Jr. all donned his customized shoes and he’s even started an “academy” where students pay up to $5,000 to learn the craft of shoe personalization.

But Nike has now accused Dominic Ciambrone’s growing business of an illegal scheme fraught with counterfeits and unauthorized collaborations with brands like Jack Daniel’s, eBay Inc., and Ruffles. The iconic brand ...