Skechers Calls Kizik Patent Lawsuit Baseless, Vows To Defend Hands-Free Slip-ins Technology In Court

Skechers Believes Lawsuit Is Baseless and Represents a Blatant Attempt to Have Courts Interfere Where Consumers Have Already Spoken

Skechers USA, Inc. ("Skechers"), the Comfort Technology Company and leader in hands-free footwear technology, announced today that it will vigorously defend the patent suit filed in Texas federal court against Skechers by Kizik Design, LLC ("Kizik") alleging,in essence, that the entire line of Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins® ("Slip-ins") infringe Kizik's patents. The Company believes that Kizik's allegations are baseless.

As owners of a vast portfolio of intellectual property, Skechers respects the rights of others. Kizik's complaint is based on the assertion that Kizik created the hands-free footwear category and is the only company that can legally use that century-old idea. Contrary to Kizik's false assertion that Skechers patents have been rejected, Skechers has developed its own unique Slip-ins technology and has obtained more than 140 utility and design patents worldwide, including in the United States, and has vigilantly enforced its patent rights, resulting in numerous judgements, injunctions and settlements around the world.