Skechers Sues Willets Footwear

Skechers U.S.A. Inc., a maker of sneakers, boots and other shoes, is suing Willets Footwear Worldwide Inc., alleging the shoemaker used the design for Sport Energy sneakers to make cheap imitations. Skechers said it has a patent for the athletic sneaker, popularized with ads featuring pop singer Britney Spears. It said Halifax, Pa.-based Willets infringed on patented designs for the bottom of the shoe and the upper to make cheaper versions, according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. Willets President Ross Spicher left for China and was not available for comment. A message left at Willets seeking comment wasn’t immediately returned. Manhattan Beach-based Skechers shares rose 25 cents to close at $34.25 on the NYSE.