Footwear maker Deckers has threatened legal action against Australian manufacturers who the company says are illegally using its copyrighted 'ugg boots' name.
The United States-based firm, which formed a company called Ugg Holdings and registered the name 'ugg boots' after purchasing an Australian manufacturer of the sheepskin shoes, wrote to several Australian companies in 1998 asking them to cease using the name to sell their products in the US.
With the companies universally ignoring the request, Deckers has now threatened to sue to protect its copyright, and has already forced one Australian company off
internet auction site eBay for copyright breach.
However, the move has been described by New South Wales state National Party leader Andrew Stoner as insulting to local manufacturers who have produced the footwear for decades.
"Ugg boots are as Australian as the kangaroo, yet we now have this bunch of corporate lawyers throwing their weight around with small manufacturers across New South Wales," he said.
"Threatening to sue people who have manufactured footwear under the generic label of ugg boots for decades is a joke."
The United States-based firm, which formed a company called Ugg Holdings and registered the name 'ugg boots' after purchasing an Australian manufacturer of the sheepskin shoes, wrote to several Australian companies in 1998 asking them to cease using the name to sell their products in the US.
With the companies universally ignoring the request, Deckers has now threatened to sue to protect its copyright, and has already forced one Australian company off
internet auction site eBay for copyright breach.
However, the move has been described by New South Wales state National Party leader Andrew Stoner as insulting to local manufacturers who have produced the footwear for decades.
"Ugg boots are as Australian as the kangaroo, yet we now have this bunch of corporate lawyers throwing their weight around with small manufacturers across New South Wales," he said.
"Threatening to sue people who have manufactured footwear under the generic label of ugg boots for decades is a joke."
Companies: Deckers
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