The humble 'ugg'-style boot . . the sheep-skin bootie which is a fave of many of us (especially during the cooler months) always seems to be embroiled in some kind of legal stoush.
This time it's with two companies, Emu Australia and Decker Outdoor Corporation (owners and producers of 'Ugg Australia'), both of whom are fighting over the use of the word 'ugg'.
Decker says it is theirs and more recently, Emu Australia counter-sued Decker, saying the battle isn't over . .
Take a read of this, from Perez Hilton . . .
http://cocoperez.com/2011-01-18-emu-australia-countersues-ugg-australia-for-allegedly-obtaining-their-ugg-trademark-under-false-statements
http://cocoperez.com/2011-01-18-emu-australia-countersues-ugg-australia-for-allegedly-obtaining-their-ugg-trademark-under-false-statements
And this from webisite just-style.
And here is the official statement from EMU Australia.
"PUBLIC NOTICE
EMU Australia counter-sues Decker Outdoor Corporation for amongst other things the cancellation of the UGG trademark in USA.
USA public company, Decker Outdoor Corporation has started the fight- has it backfired?
EMU Australia has landed a blow directly at the heart of the controversial “ugg” trademark by filing a law suit against the USA public company Deckers alleging that Decker’s original generic “ugg” trademark was obtained after a false statement to the US Trademark Office and is therefore invalid. Potentially, the false statement could result in Decker’s eventually losing all of its registration rights in the US.
“Decker’s have aggressively marketed their “Ugg Australia” marks and many consumers are unaware of the fact that UGG Australia is in fact American owned and based. There is a lot more to be told about the history of the word “ugg”, not only in Australia and Asia but also in the USA, Canada and in the UK and Europe. “We believe in time the courts will come to hear the truth in different jurisdictions and will hand down decisions that make this history clearer for all concerned” says owner of EMU Australia Paul Neate.
“Sheepskin and wool products are what we do!” says Neate. “We offer the best in class water resistant sheepskin boots that are made using premium Australian sheepskin and we encourage consumers be the judge. It is innovations such as our EMU soles, removable arch support inserts and water resistant sheepskin that threaten larger competitors who have been dishing up the same product offering year after year,” says Neate. "
EMU Australia counter-sues Decker Outdoor Corporation for amongst other things the cancellation of the UGG trademark in USA.
USA public company, Decker Outdoor Corporation has started the fight- has it backfired?
EMU Australia has landed a blow directly at the heart of the controversial “ugg” trademark by filing a law suit against the USA public company Deckers alleging that Decker’s original generic “ugg” trademark was obtained after a false statement to the US Trademark Office and is therefore invalid. Potentially, the false statement could result in Decker’s eventually losing all of its registration rights in the US.
“Decker’s have aggressively marketed their “Ugg Australia” marks and many consumers are unaware of the fact that UGG Australia is in fact American owned and based. There is a lot more to be told about the history of the word “ugg”, not only in Australia and Asia but also in the USA, Canada and in the UK and Europe. “We believe in time the courts will come to hear the truth in different jurisdictions and will hand down decisions that make this history clearer for all concerned” says owner of EMU Australia Paul Neate.
“Sheepskin and wool products are what we do!” says Neate. “We offer the best in class water resistant sheepskin boots that are made using premium Australian sheepskin and we encourage consumers be the judge. It is innovations such as our EMU soles, removable arch support inserts and water resistant sheepskin that threaten larger competitors who have been dishing up the same product offering year after year,” says Neate. "
Yep, so much fuss over a little ole sheep-wool bootie . . . .
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