Asics Files Suit against Reebok and Ralph Lauren Corporation

Asics Tiger Corporation, Irvine, CA, and Asics Corporation Japan Kobe, Japan, have filed suit in Federal District Court in Boston, MA, against Reebok International, Ltd., its subsidiary Ralph Lauren Footwear Co., Inc. and Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation for trademark infringement, unfair competition, trademark dilution and unfair or deceptive acts.

Asics is seeking an immediate preliminary injunction and permanent injunction against any future sales and distribution of Polo Sport RLX Lite alleging the shoes bear a stripe design similar to Asics' famous stripe design. In addition, Asics is also seeking damages, an accounting, litigation expenses and destruction of the product.

Asics claims that the RLX Lite shoe "sports" Asics globally recognized Tiger Stripes. "Asics is extremely upset by this blatant attempt to misappropriate the essence of the Asics global running heritage," says Michael Zall, general counsel for Asics Tiger Corporation. "Asics has spent more than 50 years building a world renowned premium brand and nurturing the goodwill represented by the Asics Tiger Stripe mark. Reebok and Ralph Lauren are well aware of our running heritage and our famous Stripe Logo and are intentionally trying to capture this heritage for use on their 'upstart' running shoe." Asics has additionally requested that United States Customs detain and seize all infringing RLX Lite shoes that are being imported into the US.

Edited by Anndrea Vorobej