Skechers Sues Brooks Sports For Using Stylized ‘5' on Shoes

Skechers USA Inc. claimed that some models of Brooks Sports Inc.'s running shoes contain a stylized “5" that infringes Skechers’ trademark for its stylized “S,” in a new lawsuit filed in Los Angeles federal court.

The complaint said Skechers obtained a preliminary injunction in April from a German court that prevents Brooks from selling the infringing shoes in the European Union.

Brooks’ italicized 5 is “nearly indistinguishable” from Skechers’ S mark, which has 40 federal trademark registrations, according to the complaint filed Tuesday in the US District Court for the Central District of California.

Skechers said Brooks recently changed its ...