Advertisement

Skechers sued by group of models

Share

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Skechers USA has been sued by a group of models who are accusing the footwear brand of using their images without permission or payment.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, says that Skechers knowingly failed to pay for, and did not have the right to use, numerous images of its footwear being modeled in countless advertisements distributed globally.

Advertisement

‘Skechers paid a small sum of money for only limited use of these images, for a limited amount of time,’ said David Shraga, a lawyer from Los Angeles firm Kawahito Shraga & Westrick, who is representing the models. ‘Then it disregarded these limitations and embarked on a successful worldwide branding campaign that was built around the images of these young models.’

The lawsuit alleges that Manhattan Beach-based Skechers took advantage of young, up-and-coming models who would find it difficult to discover the wrongdoing, especially because it occurred in foreign countries.

The models are seeking compensatory and punitive damages. ‘The models are seeking no less than $10 million in compensation for Skechers’ misappropriation of their likenesses,’ said a news release from Kawahito Shraga & Westrick.

A Skechers spokeswoman said the company does not comment on litigation.

RELATED:

Fitness shoe makers try to get in step

Skechers preparing massive distribution center in Moreno Valley

Advertisement

-- Andrea Chang

Advertisement