Nike labels Kool Kiy a ‘serial copyist’ in infringement case

Nike lawyers formally replied to designer Kool Kiy’s February counterclaim over the brand’s pending trademark infringement lawsuit in the southern district of New York

Kool Kiy argued that the Swoosh’s Air Jordan 1 and Dunk trademarks were “invalid and unenforceable” and that Kiy’s designs had been altered enough that they did not infringe.

According to Nike, Kiy is not a ‘cutting-edge design house,’ and there is nothing creative or ‘cutting-edge’ about stealing Nike’s designs and replacing the Swoosh with Kiy’s logo.

Nike added that Kiy is instead a serial copyist who has profited from its intentional theft of some of Nike’s most iconic silhouettes.

The brand argued that Kiy’s counterclaim is littered with incorrect and irrelevant allegations and is nothing more than an attempt to distract from Kiy’s willful infringement.

The remainder of Nike's latest filing deals with specific claims made throughout Kiy's complaint, namely its slack enforcement of other companies, which Kiy claims also make footwear similar to the Air Jordan 1 and Dunk.

Although Nike acknowledges that it has not taken legal action against the Amiri Skel High-Top, Rhude Recess Hi, and Golden Goose Sky Star, denies Kiy’s suggestion that the shoes infringe upon Nike’s trade dress registration. Nonetheless, Nike acknowledges that Bape "sells numerous sneaker styles that are almost exact replicas of Nike's sneaker silhouettes covered by Nike's trademark registrations" and mentions that it sued Bape in January.

Kiy's February filing, according to Nike, "fails to articulate facts adequate to create a claim." Nike is asking for a judgment prohibiting Kiy from creating or marketing more infringing sneakers and mandating that the designer deliver all merchandise and packaging to Nike for destruction. The brand is also asking for compensation for damages and related expenses.