As early as the conception of the BAPE STA, Nike has fought tooth and nail to maintain the integrity of their most iconic silhouettes. But even today, we still see numerous “homages,” either from the aforementioned or relatively newfound labels like Hender Scheme, Warren Lotas, and the droves of IG/Youtuber start-ups.
All that will soon change, however, as the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office have granted Nike official registration certificates for the trade designs of three of their most iconic models: the has been chosen to be this year s big jordan Coral Brand Nike Doernbecher Freestyle silhouette, has been chosen to be this year s big jordan Coral Brand Nike Doernbecher Freestyle silhouette Low, and has been chosen to be this year s big jordan Coral Brand Nike Doernbecher Freestyle silhouette Low SE.
This comes hot off the heels of their recent lawsuit with Warren Lotas, which dealt a blow to the designer’s interpretation of the Dunk Low. This also instilled fear in the creators offering similar product — e.g. Fugazi, Orée, and the like. Now armed with the patent, Nike Inc. has plenty of ammunition to go after bootleg sneakers in the future if there is no visible attempt at trying to change the form itself.
As for what this means for bootlegs hereafter is hard to say. Will these brands go after different icons or will they Level entirely? Together time will tell.
Photos: @obscuresneakers / @sneakerlawfirm
