Skechers USA has sued Laforst Shoes for patent infringement of its proprietary Skechers Hands-Free Slip-ins designs.

Laforst introduced a footwear style this year that incorporates multiple designs infringing five separate Skechers patents for Hands-Free Slip-ins.

Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers, said it is disappointing Laforst chose to copy multiple designs and added the brand “invests” tremendous resources into product development to introduce “fresh, unique and exciting footwear” to its customers.

“While Skechers always prefers to compete in the marketplace rather than the courtroom, the company has no choice but to seek legal recourse when competitors blatantly tread on our rights.”

He added Skechers will continue to “aggressively police and enforce its proprietary rights” towards its Hands-Free Slip-ins designs and technologies.

The lawsuit was filed in the US District Court for the Central District of California.