Jibbitz, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Crocs Inc., has won a $56 million damage award against a Chinese company. Jinjiang Huakai Shoes & Garments Co. was found guilty of 179 copyright infringements, including trademark infringement, trademark counterfeiting, trademark dilution, unfair competition and common-law trademark infringement, for copying charms made by Jibbitz.
Crocs filed the lawsuit Feb. 22, and a default ruling was issued April 29 by U.S. District Judge Robert Johnston in Las Vegas. The Chinese company did not appear in court.
Crocs said it doesn't expect to collect on the judgement since Jinjiang Huakai is a small company, but the ruling will enable the company to enforce an injunction if Jinjiang Huakai again tries to sell its product in the U.S.
“As an innovative company, we are determined to protect our intellectual property. Moving forward, we will continue to take the necessary measures to defend our intellectual property against infringers,” Rich Schmelzer, president of Jibbitz, said in a statement.
This was the second time a judgment was awarded in favor of Jibbitz regarding copyright infringement. A year ago, a judge awarded $1.8 million to Jibbitz against Joinworld Industrial & Trading Ltd.
