Crocs Inc. has had it with lookalikes.
The Niwot, Colo.-based company has sued Evacol USA LLC and Evacol LTDA, alleging infringement on various Crocs patents.
In documents filed in a district court in Southern Florida on Dec. 23, Crocs, known for its signature clogs that feature its patented Croslite™ material, accuses the Colombian corporation, Evacol LTDA, and its Miami-based subsidiary, Evacol USA LLC, of selling clogs and sandals that infringe on three of its designs.
“It has recently come to our attention that Evacol has been infringing certain intellectual property rights of Crocs and is attempting to unfairly trade off of Crocs’ brand equity,” said Andrew Rees, Crocs’ brand president, in a statement. “Crocs will not tolerate these acts and will aggressively defend and protect its valuable assets.”
As a result of Evacol’s alleged actions, Crocs said, in court documents, that it has lost good will with its customers and has suffered and “will continue to suffer damages in an amount to be proved at trial.”
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In addition to monetary damages, Crocs is seeking preliminary and permanent injunctions restraining Evacol from manufacturing the alleged fakes.
According to its website, Evacol was founded in Colombia in 2006 and produces sandals with EVA or foam rubber. Evacol entered the U.S. market in 2010, when it opened a wholesale office in Miami. The firm opened its first retail store in Plantation, Fla., in November 2015.
Footwear News attempted to reach Evacol for comment, but the phone number listed on the company’s website was disconnected.
