A summary of Southern California-related business litigation developments during the past week.

Athletic Shoe Firms File Suit Over Knockoffs: The makers of Reebok, Converse and Vans shoes filed separate suits against distributors that are allegedly wholesaling illegal knockoffs of the popular footwear lines. The suits maintain that McAllen, Tex.-based Ridgewood Investments, Chatex International and Cosmo Trading Corp. are selling the sport shoes in Los Angeles, among other places. Reebok International, Converse Inc. and Van Doren Rubber Co.--maker of Vans sneakers--accuse the Texas firms of distributing counterfeit shoes bearing the shoe firms’ designs and trademarks. The suits ask that the alleged counterfeits be destroyed. They also ask that the Texas firms be ordered to provide cash refunds to those who bought the knockoffs. The suits also seeks unspecified damages. (Case Nos. 91-0007, 91-0008, 91-0009. Filed Jan. 3, 1990).