Lawsuit filed over copyright infringement of Trump sneaker knockoffs

The company behind Donald Trump’s new sneaker line, 45Footwear LLC, filed a lawsuit alleging the sale and promotion of counterfeit shoes by individuals and business entities mostly located outside the U.S. The defendants are not named in the lawsuit but will be identified in a sealed document. The lawsuit claims trademark and copyright violations and seeks to prohibit the defendants from reproducing, advertising, or selling counterfeit sneakers. 45Footwear LLC is asking the court to award $2 million for each use of the trademark counterfeited by each defendant and $25,000 for each copyright violation. Trump’s new sneaker line, featuring high-tops, red and white laceless athletic shoes, was launched in February and is priced between $199 to $399. The shoes have also been promoted as a benefit for high-dollar donors, with Trump’s name, image, and likeness licensed for sale. Attorneys for 45Footwear stated that they hired an online fraud investigator who identified individuals and businesses selling counterfeit sneakers before the authentic sneakers had even been shipped.

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