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BAPE’s Designs Set for Change After Nike Settlement
Nike and the Japanese brand BAPE, also known as A Bathing Ape, have reached a settlement in their long-standing trademark infringement lawsuit. Following deliberations, they have reached an accord regarding BAPE’s footwear, which has been subject to allegations of bearing a resemblance to iconic Nike designs.
The dispute, which had been brewing for years, centred around BAPE’s alleged replication of several iconic Nike silhouettes, including the Air Force 1, Dunk Low, and various iterations of the Air Jordan 1. Nike had initiated legal proceedings against BAPE on 25th January 2023, citing concerns over the striking similarities between BAPE’s designs and its own iconic sneakers.
At the heart of the controversy was BAPE’s Bape Sta silhouette, originally introduced in 2000. The sneaker, bearing a resemblance to Nike’s Air Force 1, had been the subject of discussions between the two brands dating back to 2009. Despite purported adjustments made by BAPE to differentiate the Bape Sta from the Air Force 1, Nike took issue with BAPE’s reintroduction of the original design in 2021, leading to renewed legal action.
The Agreement
In the wake of the settlement, Nike has announced that BAPE will cease production of its Bape Sta Mid, Court Sta, and Court Sta High sneakers. Additionally, BAPE has committed to revising the designs of the Bape Sta and Sk8 Sta models, addressing Nike’s concerns about infringement. This resolution reflects a common trend in similar legal disputes, wherein smaller brands often agree to modify their designs to avoid protracted litigation.
While Nike has made its stance clear, BAPE has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the settlement. But we’re dying to see how they’ll shake things up with their new sneaker designs. Keep your eyes peeled for updates – we’ll be keeping you in the loop!
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