Skechers Sues Sears Over Shape-Up Line

Los Angeles - Skechers USA Inc. is suing Sears Holdings Corp., alleging the national retailer is selling knock-off footwear that infringes some of the Manhattan Beach shoe company's products, according to court papers filed in Los Angeles.

Skechers contends in its suit, filed Friday in Los Angeles federal court, that Sears markets footwear at its namesake chain and Kmart stores, as well as on websites such as TheraShoe and Melrose Avenue, that copies Skecher's Shape-ups, Twinkle Toes and Z-Strap lines.

Shape-up "toning shoes" are billed as helping to burn calories and improve posture.

"While we value our relationship with Sears, their actions are causing us tremendous damage, and we simply cannot let any company, let alone a company the size of Sears, infringe on our most valuable intellectual property," said Skechers' attorney Philip Paccione.

A Sears spokesperson did not immediately return a call for comment on the lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages as well as relief for the alleged infringements and unfair competition.