Columbia Sportswear filed a federal lawsuit alleging trademark infringement against Softstar Shoes, the minimalist footwear brand based in Philomath, OR, over its use of the Omniflex name.
The Omniflex sole, introduced in 2020, is used in the RunAmoc line, Softstar’s primary revenue driver.
According to the Corvallis Gazette-Times, Columbia charged that Softstar’s use of the name confuses the marketplace, given Columbia’s use of Omni-named products since 1991.
Columbia has trademarks for Omni-Grip, Omni-Heat, Omni-Tech, and several similar names and applied with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office earlier this year to trademark Omni-Flex.
In its lawsuit, Columbia indicated it is seeking a recall of all previously sold Softstar products using the Omniflex soles, the destruction of related unsold merchandise, the reimbursement for all profits made from the “infringing goods,” and the award of triple damages. However, the report indicated that both sides are seeking a settlement.
Photo courtesy Softstar
