Dr. Martens Maker Sues Rival Steven Madden Over Facsimile Shoes

Steven Madden Ltd. and a footwear distributor manufacture and sell “direct and obvious copies” of Dr. Martens brand shoes, a new lawsuit says.

The complaint identifies at least seven shoe styles it says infringes AirWair’s trade dress. It requests the court block Steven Madden from producing, advertising, or distributing products similar to the affected brands and award damages.

AirWair International Ltd. says that its footwear consists of yellow welt stitching and heel loops; a two-tone, grooved sole edge; and an angled heel, among other qualities. That dress persists through its Jadon boots and Zebrilus sandals, the Wednesday complaint in ...