Converse Settles With Tory Burch, Aldo

WASHINGTON — Converse Inc. has entered into settlement agreements with two additional companies — Tory Burch and Aldo Group — and filed separate joint motions to terminate a broad trademark infringement case that is pending before the U.S. International Trade Commission, according to ITC documents. Converse, owned by Nike Inc., filed a complaint against 32 retailers and manufacturers in October alleging they infringed on some of the brand’s trademarks used in certain shoes. The ITC initiated an investigation against the companies in November. Converse had previously signed agreements with Hennes & Mauritz, Zulily Inc. and Ralph Lauren Corp. Among the other companies named in the ITC complaint were Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Kmart Holding Corp., Skechers, Fila and Iconix Brand Group. Converse also filed lawsuits in federal court against the companies. Converse claimed in the complaint that all of the defendants have infringed on its iconic midsole trademark design made up of a toe bumper and a toe cap, plus either an upper stripe and/or lower stripe, associated with its “All Star” high-top sneakers that were first introduced in 1917 and renamed “Chuck Taylor” after a Converse salesman and basketball player. In redacted versions of the s​eparate settlement agreements on the ITC Web site, Tory

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