Nike Jumps On ‘Skiman’ Logo, Ordering Business To Rebrand
Images 153271548 © Rootstocks | Dreamstime.com and Skiman
Nike is sending a ski apparel brand down a legal slope. The sportswear giant has reportedly called upon Colorado-based business Skiman to stop using its logo due to its striking resemblance to the famous Jumpman emblem.
The tension has escalated to multiple cease-and-desist letters, with Nike urging Fucik to voluntarily give up his trademark or face legal consequences, Denver7 reports.
Skiman, born from owner Stephen Fucik’s love for winter sports, was successfully trademarked in December 2020 and is outlined as depicting “a skier performing a maneuver called a daffy.”
Images via Skiman
Nike’s Jumpman, a silhouette of basketball legend Michael Jordan performing his iconic slam dunk, has become an emblematic figure in sportswear ever since it was introduced in the late 80s.
Skiman LLC is saying and doing the right things... His Skiman logo IS federally registered with the USPTO.
— Sneaker & Streetwear Legal Servicesâ„ (@SneakerLegal) December 1, 2023
Shall we call out Nike and the behemoth brand's army of lawyers for sleeping on this one...... YES. LETS DO IT. Nike did not challenge the trademark application when it was… pic.twitter.com/8XiNySBhk2
Nike has been keeping close tabs on lookalike trademarks, and it routinely takes legal action against other brands it believes have indulged in perceived infringements. Some of these businesses are small, like Skiman, while others are more prominent, like BAPE and Roger Federer.
Image via Skiman
Photo 147175505 © Supawit Srethbhakdi | Dreamstime.com
Fucik, on his part, maintains his innocence, emphasizing that his logo was purely inspired by the spirit of skiing and that he never intended to step on Nike’s toes. He tells Denver7 that losing this symbol poses a serious threat to his business’s very essence.
Interestingly, this isn’t his first legal tussle over the logo. Fucik was also accused by Dane Burneson, the former owner of Colorado-based hat shop Aksels, of using a mirror image of his own design, which had been in use since 2010. However, when Nike entered the fray, Burneson decided to bow out of the dispute, the news outlet hears from the Aksels founder.
Despite attempts to negotiate with Nike, Fucik notes that he has found no success. While the impending showdown will potentially be a downhill challenge, the ski shop owner says he remains determined to defend his brand’s identity.
Today on Brand New (Linked): Skiman, a skiing apparel brand is facing cease and desist letters from Nike for its logo’s similarity to the Jumpman logo. Fucik received his trademark registration from the USPTO and had no challenges from Nike at the time https://t.co/bi6jSQ7vWh pic.twitter.com/8o3ru7y7UJ
— UnderConsideration (@ucllc) November 30, 2023
“I’m looking forward to the ski season,” he shares with Denver7. “Sometimes you gotta do what’s right. And I’m ready to fight for this.”
[via Denver7, Brand New, Creative Bloq, images via various sources]
