The company behind former President Donald Trump’s new sneaker line filed a lawsuit on Monday, alleging the sale and promotion of counterfeit shoes by various individuals and business entities.
The suit, filed in federal court in Arizona, claims trademark and copyright violations. The defendants are not named, but the plaintiffs said they would be identified in a forthcoming sealed document. The lawsuit states that the defendants include individuals, unincorporated business associations, and business entities located mostly outside the U.S., operating through commercial websites hosted domestically.
Attorneys for 45Footwear LLC, the company behind the sneaker line, requested the court to prohibit the defendants from reproducing, advertising, or selling counterfeit sneakers and from operating or registering websites tied to their sales. They also sought to have the defendants account for and pay any profits related to the trademark violations or, alternatively, to award $2 million for each use of the counterfeit mark by each defendant and $25,000 for each copyright violation.
Trump launched the Trump Sneakers line in February, featuring three different pairs: high-tops, red laceless athletic shoes, and white laceless athletic shoes, priced between $199 and $399, all emblazoned with the letter “T,” among other details.
The shoes have also been promoted as a benefit for high-dollar donors. Trump’s name, image, and likeness were licensed to sell the sneakers, though they are not affiliated with his campaign.
According to the lawsuit, attorneys for 45Footwear stated they had hired an online fraud investigator who identified individuals and businesses promoting and selling counterfeit sneakers “before any authentic Sneakers have even been shipped.”