NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- On 7 December 2010, EMU Australia was served with a trademark infringement lawsuit brought by US public company, Deckers Outdoor, the owner of the trademark UGG ® Australia. In a statement, Deckers USA chairman and CEO, Angel Martinez, alleged that EMU was "misleading consumers into believing they are buying a genuine UGG ® Australia product". The lawsuit has been brought by Deckers against EMU Australia in a US court. Similar lawsuits by Deckers in Australian courts have been unsuccessful because "Ugg" is a generic word in Australia and there are over 70 registered trademarks in Australia and New Zealand which include the word, "Ugg."
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101214/NY17643-a )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101214/NY17643-b )
"EMU is more interested in investing in the innovation and craftsmanship of its products than investing in its lawyers," said Paul Neate, EMU's managing director from his home in Australia.
"Customers accessing the EMU website are looking to buy EMU products, not Deckers products," said Paul Neate when commenting on the lawsuit. "Worldwide, consumers are seeking out the quality Australian EMU products now available from premium retailers in 67 countries."
Consumers are choosing EMU's superior products which include innovations like EMU's water resistant sheepskin boots and EMU's Naturally Australian Fall 2011 colours. EMU's sales growth exceeded the Q3 results detailed by Decker's Martinez - EMU's sheepskin and wool apparel and accessories have proved so popular in North America and Europe that they have been sold out.
EMU Australia is taking shelf space from its Deckers competitor every day. Woolmark also proudly endorses EMU products. "EMU Australia and Woolmark have been working closely on wool and sheepskin innovation for years now and unlike other products, many of our sheepskin and wool lines bear the Woolmark logo," said Aileen Connor, EMU's international product manager.
The final comment from Paul Neate -
"EMU is a family owned company born and based in Geelong, Australia, proud of its Australian heritage and its quality Australian products which are clearly the envy of our competitors".
SOURCE EMU Australia
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