On 11/8, Goleta-based Deckers Outdoor Corporation filed a lawsuit against Tom Romeo and Romeo and Juliette, Inc, the makers of Bearpaw branded boots, for copying the trade dress design of its Ugg Australia boots. The filing argues that Romeo and Juliette, by copying nonfunctional brand-identifying features of Uggs, is confusing consumers and sorority sisters everywhere. Furthermore, the suit alleges that this confusion, along with the inferior quality of the Bearpaw boots, diminishes the Ugg brand. Deckers is seeking all the profits Romeo and Juliette has accrued by selling imitations of its über-popular lamb shearling boots as well as punitive damages.
