Deckers Sue Gap for Infringing Trade Dress, Sandal Design Patent

Deckers Outdoor Corp., the maker of UGG boots, accused Gap Inc. of infringing its trade dress and design patents for popular footwear styles.

The complaint, filed Dec. 20 in the US District Court for the Central District of California, alleges that Gap’s “Toddler Sherpa Sandal Slippers” copy the distinctive elements of Deckers’ Oh Yeah slide, including the furry footbed, parallel instep straps and slingback design. It also claims Gap’s “Breckenridge Ankle Boot” infringes the trade dress of Deckers’ Classic Ultra Mini boot with its raised stitching, exposed tufting and rounded vamp.

Deckers further asserts that Gap’s products violate two of ...