Crocs is taking Walmart, Hobby Lobby and other companies to court for copying its iconic clogs.
The company has filed a total of four trademark infringements lawsuits in US district courts against 20 companies for allegedly violating its trademarks along with other intellectual property rights of its shoes.
Crocs’ lawsuit against Walmart, Hobby Lobby and shoes and handbag maker Loeffler Randall, which was filed in the US District Court of Colorado, alleges that the companies are selling cheaper knockoffs of its $50 clogs under different labels such as “George” and “Time and Tru,” CNN reported.
The Broomfield, Colorado-based company also called out Hobby Lobby’s $12 “white foam clogs ladies shoes and Loeffler Randall’s “Ezra Black Rubber Clog” in its lawsuit, adding that these knockoff products are “likely to cause confusion or mistake” and will deceive customers, infringing Crocs’ trademarks.
The company’s lawsuit comes on the heels of record-breaking sales during the pandemic. In 2020, Crocs recorded the best sales ever with millennials and Gen Z shoppers opting to shop Crocs‘ shoes for comfort.
Following its success, the company has produced special-edition collaborations with music artists such as Post Malone, Justin Bieber and Bad Bunny. The company also collaborated with fast-food chain, KFC, on producing shoes that came with attachable charms, which looked and smelled like fried chicken.
On Thursday, the company announced record sales for a third-straight quarter, with revenues increasing by 93 percent year over year, reaching $640.8 million. In addition, Crocs’ digital sales grew 25.4 percent, representing 36.4 percent of its revenue, while its direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales grew 78.6 percent compared to 2020.
