FREEPORT, Maine — The footwear brand Skechers is suing L.L.Bean over claims that it copied a shoe design.
According to court documents, Skechers alleges that L.L.Bean's Freeport Slip-On shoe uses a "Heel Cup" design that Skechers received a patent for in 2022.
Skechers claims the Freeport-based company began using its design due to its popularity and uniqueness.
"Only after Skechers incurred the substantial risk and monumental expense of developing and promoting its shoes with these Heel Cup designs, and established that they had broad appeal, did L.L.Bean enter the market with its infringing shoe," court documents said.
Court documents added that Skechers' patents, along with its trademarks, are the "legal lifeblood" of the company.
The shoe giant is asking L.L.Bean to stop selling the shoe design and provide compensation for the patent infringement.
NEWS CENTER Maine reached out to L.L.Bean for comment but did not hear back.