Initially, it was mistaken for a very early April Fool’s joke, but no, Lebron Jordan is a real sneaker company that’s embroiled in a legal battle with Nike — you know, the shoemakers for LeBron James and Michael Jordan.
And the company just slapped Jordan and James with a lawsuit for interferring with its business.
Nike has sent a cease and desist letter to owner Aaron Fraser, requesting that he remove the website because it could cause “public confusion as to the source or affiliation of your products,” and such confusion could result in the infringement of Nike’s rights.
Aaron Fraser clarifies that Lebron Jordan was named after his two godchildren, not the celebrity athletes, and thus, Nike has no right to tell him he can’t sell customizable sneakers. Note: Fraser’s company is Lebron, not LeBron.
And he’s still selling those sneakers. Fraser’s concept is pretty hot — customizable sneakers that you can decorate with a wide assortment of Lebron Jordan logos, and it will only set you back $124.
Fraser’s site features several interesting designs. However, in January, one eagle-eyed reporter noticed that the Lebron Jordan canvas shoe looked mighty familiar: “… in what is perhaps the most egregious potential violation, Fraser added a canvas version to the site that is unmistakably identical to Converse’s iconic Chuck Taylor All Star shoe,” Erik Siemers noted. Siemers added that the shoe was photographed atop a Converse box.
That was a design error that took place with the overseas manufacturer, according to Damon Jordan, vice president of marketing and product development.
“Lebron Jordan Inc. launched a product it thought was an original, but was in fact a duplicate of another product,” Jordan said in a released statement.
So, the company scrapped that shoe design and decided to take the product to the people. Jordan said: “In an effort to ensure this never happens again, we have decided to look for the best and brightest at home. Are you the ‘Next Top Sneaker and Urban Apparel’ designer? Lebron Jordan Inc. is betting that you are.”
You read it right. Lebron Jordan Inc. has launched a design competition for sneakerheads to create the company’s spanking new shoe line.
So, get those concept designs ready and send them in. Lebron Jordan promises that, “if the Company likes the designs, it will contact you for an interview, offer you employment or buy the designs outright.” –zondra hughes