This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
New Balance filed a lawsuit against Steve Madden on June 7 in a Massachusetts District Court.
The Boston-based brand alleges that its Concepts x New Balance 327 collaboration design was infringed upon with the Steve Madden Chasen.
“While New Balance respects industry competition, Steve Madden’s Chasen shoe model infringes New Balance’s design patent-protected 327, one of New Balance’s most popular and best-selling models,” the company said to Footwear News. “As a result of this infringement by Steve Madden, New Balance has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court to protect our brand and the distinctive design of our 327 model.”
In the lawsuit, New Balance claims that the luxury brand’s sneaker, “traded off of New Balance’s design, goodwill, and reputation.”
This is the latest lawsuit against Steve Madden as New Balance claims that the company has been sued “more than a dozen times in recent years” for similar design-related infringements, including Deckers, Converse, Balenciaga, Allbirds, and others.
Stay tuned to Nice Kicks as the story develops.