Wal-Mart Hits Back in Converse Case

WASHINGTON — Wal-Mart Stores Inc., one of several companies targeted by Converse Inc. in a trademark infringement claim pending before the U.S. International Trade Commission, accused Converse in a filing of trying to “extort monetary settlements” from a large swath of the industry and vowed to vigorously fight the case. “Converse’s sudden launch of this surprise ITC action against the industry and its use of this forum to extort monetary settlements and drive product out of the market must not continue to be permitted,” Wal-Mart said in a response to a motion filed by Converse, according to ITC documents. “Wal-Mart will fight Converse’s anticompetitive actions to preserve ‘Every Day Low Prices’ for Wal-Mart customers.” Converse, owned by Nike Inc., filed an ITC trademark infringement complaint against 32 retailers and manufacturers in October, alleging they infringed on some of the brand’s trademarks used in certain shoes, including the All Star Chuck Taylor shoe. The ITC initiated an investigation against the companies in November. Converse also filed lawsuits in federal court against the companies. In the ITC complaint, Converse alleged that the companies violated section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the U.S. and sale of certain of its trademarks,

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