Recent MatterRoyalty-Free Settlement For Skechers
Irell & Manella has secured a royalty-free settlement for Skechers U.S.A., Inc. in Skechers’ dispute with Cobra International, Inc. over Cobra’s patent relating to lighted shoes.
Before and during the litigation, Cobra contended that its patent covered all shoes with repeating sequences of lights, including the lights used in popular children’s shoes. Skechers received a full release and license to Cobra’s patent with no money changing hands. All litigation was dismissed.
Shortly after the lawsuit began in 2007, Skechers obtained a three-year stay of the case pending the United States Patent Office’s consideration of Skechers’ request for reexamination of the patent-in-suit.
On February 13, 2012, the Court granted Skechers’ motion for partial summary judgment, striking Cobra’s request for past damages relating to patent claims which Cobra amended during the reexamination.
At a hearing on April 16, 2012, the Court issued an oral tentative ruling that Skechers’ motion for summary judgment of patent invalidity would be granted. Skechers and Cobra settled before the Court issued a final ruling.
The Irell litigation team was led by Morgan Chu.