Asics has filed a lawsuit against Dolce & Gabbana SpA for allegedly copying its stripe design on sneakers and high-top shoes. The complaint filed Sept. 19 in U.S. District Court, Central District of California (Los Angeles) claims Dolce & Gabbana is using a confusingly similar design on at least five footwear models in a bid to “mislead consumers and trade on Asics popularity.


Asics in June filed a similar lawsuit against Steven Madden Ltd., accusing the designer of copying the same trademark and violating previous agreements not to do so. That case is pending in federal court in Santa Ana, California.

“Defendants are selling shoes under its D&G line bearing a mark that infringes Asics famous stripe design mark at retail shoe stores and via the Internet, Asics said in the Dolce & Gabbana suit. The company seeks unspecified money damages and a court order banning Dolce & Gabbana’s alleged use of the design.


The case is Asics Corp., et al v. Dolce & Gabbana SRL, 08- cv-06407, U.S. District Court, Central District of California (Los Angeles).