Rocky Brands Inc. is suing a former high-ranking employee, accusing him of copying its popular Western and work boots. In the lawsuit, filed last week in U.S. District Court in Columbus, Rocky claims Glen Bratcher misappropriated trade secrets after he left the company in early 2007 to form Westwood Footwear and Accessories in Franklin, Tenn.


 


Bratcher joined Rocky in 2005 after the company bought Bratcher's employer, EJ Footwear of Franklin, Tenn., according to the lawsuit. Rocky made Bratcher vice president of product for the Durango and Rocky Western Division


Rocky accuses Bratcher of working with one of the company's Chinese suppliers to duplicate “designs of Rocky's most popular boots, as well as using identical or similar materials and constituent parts that Rocky uses.”Rocky also sued the supplier, Nantong Hong Yi Wang Shoes Co.


“We at Rocky have worked very hard over many years to establish lines of boots well known for their appealing designs, outstanding quality and distinctive appearance,” Mike Brooks, Rocky's chief executive, said in a statement. “This is a matter of highest importance for Rocky, its employees and our customers.”


 


Bratcher also used a trademark similar to Rocky's and marketed the “imitator” boots to Rocky's retailers and customers, the lawsuit said.


 


Rocky asked the court to stop Bratcher's company from marketing and selling the boots.


 

Bratcher's attorney, John Triggs in Nashville, Tenn., told the Columbus Dispatch Rocky's case “doesn't appear to have any real weight or merit.”

 


“We asked the court to accelerate this entire proceeding, and the court has done so,” Triggs said. “We did that because we're absolutely confident in the merits of our case.”


 


A hearing is set for April 21.