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Part VI Case Study: Nike, Converse Sue 31 Companies for their Chuck Taylor Knockoffs
Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars have been on the market for almost a century. They have weathered the
trends, standing strong as an American fashion icon. Converse estimates they have sold about one
billion Chuck Taylors worldwide over the years. So, unsurprisingly, Converse has been plagued by low-
cost knockoffs detracting from their sales.
Nike purchase Converse in 2003, after the company filed for bankruptcy in the 1990s. Nike was able to
revive the brand by expanding color and style options and extending into overseas markets. During its
2014 fiscal year, Converse made up $1.7 billion of Nike’s roughly $28 billion in sales.
The upsurge in popularity for Converse let to what Jim Calhoun, Converse President and CEO, called “an
explosion in knockoff activity.” After over 100 cease-and-desist letters did not achieve results, Nike and
Converse decided to go a step further to protect their brand.
