sneakers
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After twenty years of sneakerheads accusing BAPE of blatantly biting Nike’s classic Air Force 1 silhouette to sell their own footwear line, the Swoosh has finally sued the Japanese brand for trademark infringement and everyone is asking the same question: Now?!
Over the past few years Nike has gone lawsuit happy, suing any and everyone for copying their classic sneaker silhouettes or even using their products to make custom pieces and selling them online. Now Nike has BAPE in their crosshairs as they want the popular street brand to stop biting their designs. Reuters is reporting that Nike filed a lawsuit against BAPE on Wednesday (January 25) in the Southern District of New York stating that the iconic Japanese street brand’s business “revolves around copying Nike’s iconic designs.”
Sneakerheads been saying this ever since BAPE sneakers hit the scene back in the early 2000’s. Some heads even refuse to rock a pair due to the fact that they’re basically Air Force 1’s without a swoosh on the side. The star on the side instead of the check was still pretty dope though. Just sayin.’ After two decades of letting BAPE eat, Nike has finally had enough and have decided to let the courts get involved.
Nike said BAPE’s U.S. sales of the shoes were “sporadic” until 2021, when it “drastically increased the volume and scope of its infringement.”
“BAPE’s copying is and always has been unacceptable to Nike, and because BAPE’s infringements have recently grown to become a significant danger to Nike’s rights, Nike must act now,” the lawsuit said.
Nike also said BAPE “refused” to stop the alleged violations when asked.
The lawsuit said BAPE’s designs will cause confusion among potential customers. It cited secondary-market sellers who referred to the BAPE shoes as “Air Force 1s” or “Dunks.”
Nike is asking the court to order BAPE to stop selling selling their sneakers and also want an unspecified amount of compensation for money damages.
Word is that Nike and BAPE had some sort of sit down in 2009, and shortly thereafter the latter retreated from the States. But recently, they’ve start selling shoes that allegedly AF1 knockoffs, again, and here we are.
When Nike began dishing out lawsuits like the point guard off your favorite teams, many felt it was only a matter time before lawyers showed up on BAPE’s door, and now that time has come. Keep in mind that BAPE sneakers aren’t even popping like that in the streets anymore, but that’s neither here nor there.
How this ends is anyone’s guess though it looks like Nike has a strong as Tom Stoltman case on their hands. Don’t be surprised if heads begin hoarding BAPE sneakers in anticipation of a cease and desist order being thrown at the Japanese clothing brand. Heck, we might go get a few pairs ourselves just in case.
What do y’all think about Nike finally taking BAPE to court over their sneakers? Let us know in the comments section below.
Written By Alvin aqua Blanco , Director of Content Posted 1 hour ago @aqua174 Alvin aqua Blanco is the Director of Content in the Men’s Division for iOne Digital, steering Cassius Life and Hip-Hop Wired. Representing the Bronx, he was nurtured by a steady diet of Hip-Hop culture and music. He graduated from the University […]
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Almost a year after now infamous sneaker reseller Zadeh Kicks shut down his operation and ended up getting investigated by the FBI, another sneaker reseller is following suit under somewhat similar suspect circumstances.
According to Nice Kicks, Schmidty Kicks, known for reselling sneakers at higher than retail prices, filed for bankruptcy over the weekend. Apparently it owed creditors $18,473,066.33 while only having $808.49 in assets. They must’ve had four pairs of The Air Jordan 1 “Brotherhood’s” left in stock or something. Those aren’t going anywhere on the secondary market either. Just sayin.’
Altogether Schmidty Kicks owes 661 creditors debts ranging from as little as $212 to as much as $6 million to the payment processor Stripe. Like many resellers over the past few months, Schmidty Kicks done learned that the reselling game isn’t what it used to be. Highly anticipated sneakers are hard to come by (thanks bots and backdoors) and more kicks are considered bricks than grails by the everyday sneaker aficionado.
Schmidty Kicks declared that it owes more than $350,000 to other family members of the president Brett Schmidt and $1,738,600 to Schmidty Kicks Fund – an entity that lists Brett Schmidt as a principal in an SEC filing dated in February 10, 2022.
In the bankruptcy filing, Schmidty Kicks’ President Brett Schmidt declares that potential assets the failed business has include money owed from Zadeh Kicks, its founder Michael Malekzadeh, and CFO Bethany Mockerman.
It’s not looking good out here for bulk sneaker resellers.
Zadeh Kicks founder Michael Malekzadeh and his fiancee Bethany Mockerman meanwhile are currently facing multiple fraud charges for “selling” sneakers he never actually had. Zadeh Kicks was the talk of the sneaker town after he abruptly shut down his sneaker reselling operation and blew town with millions in unfulfilled orders.
After the sneaker community exploded in anger and astonishment at the sudden shuttering of Zadeh Kicks, the FBI got involved. They not only hit Malekzadeh and his ride-or-die with fraud charges, but also confiscated his personal sneaker stash and whatever he had in storage and resold them on eBay at the end of 2021.
Naturally Malekzadeh and Mockerman pleaded not guilty to all charges but, well, it’s not looking good for them right now.
What do y’all think of Schmidty Kicks being the latest sneaker reseller to go down in flames? Do y’all even trust sneaker reselling websites anymore? We know we don’t. Let us know in the comments section below.
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Pusha T is stepping back into the sneaker game teasing his new collaboration with adidas.
As per Sneaker News, the trapper turned rapper is making moves while at Paris Fashion Week. While on route to the “Twilight Reverie” showing Pusha T was spotted wearing some never before feet pieces. At first glance, the shoes look like your standard adidas Samba. But the sneaker is actually much more unique. The “THORN,” a nod to his last name Thornton, features his marque throughout the oversized leather tongue and heel counter. Additionally, this model also has the signature trefoil logo on the toe box.
This is not the first time the “Diet Coke” rapper has worked with the German sportswear giant. Back in 2014 he signed a deal that would not only make him a celebrity ambassador but also afforded him the opportunity to release exclusive sneakers. Throughout his tenure with adidas, he released plush versions of EQT Guidance ‘93, EQT Support Ultra Boost and Ozweego.
His most noteworthy pair was the “Bodega Baby” which featured prime knit construction with premium carp leather overlays, a Boost midsole for unparalleled comfort and premium “King Push” engraved metal lace locks.
You can see images of the “THORN” below.
Photo: Arnold Jerocki / Getty
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Sneakerheads were sad to learn that the neither the Air Jordan 11 “Gamma” nor the Air Jordan 11 “Legend Blues” would be releasing during the holidays season, but Jordan Brand might give us some heat as rumors are swirling that a different classic might be hitting the shelves.
Nice Kicks is reporting that word around the sneaker community is that Jordan Brand is planning on bringing back the Air Jordan 11 “DMP” after making its debut back in 2006. The sneakers, which are basically the Air Jordan 11 “Concord” with a gold Jumpman and stitching on the heel was an instant classic when it released more than a decade and a half ago. And now heads might be able to own a pair come the end of the year.
For Holiday 2023, Jordan Brand will bring back the Air Jordan 11 “DMP” colorway. While images of the shoe have yet to be seen, we anticipate the retro to mirror the 2006 release akin to the Air Jordan 6 “DMP” release from a few years ago.
As of now, it’s unclear whether or not the 2023 Air Jordan 11 “DMP” will feature the “JORDAN” branding on the eyelets. Though, it could be likely as the brand experimented with the concept during Holiday 2020 with the Air Jordan 11 “Jubilee” release.
After it was announced that the “Gamma” and “Legend Blue” Air Jordan 11s would not be releasing this year, word began to spread that Jordan Brand would probably be dropping the 11s in a never-before-seen colorway. This is actually better to be honest, but we’ll see if it actually happens.
No word on whether this release is actually set in stone, but if it does happen best believe it’s going to be mayhem come release day.
Will you be interested in the return of the Air Jordan 11 “DMP” for the holidays? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Source: NYPD / NYD
Two weeks ago, a 16-year-old in Harlem was beaten unconscious by a group of teens and robbed of his Air Jordan 1 “Lost and Found” sneakers, and now police are saying they’ve nabbed two suspects in connection with the assault and robbery.
The New York Daily News is reporting that Dijon Sellers, 18, and a 14-year-old suspect whose name was not released due to him being a minor were taken into custody Wednesday (Jan. 18) after police received a tip about their involvement in the Jan. 7 jux. After being booked, both Sellers and the minor were hit with robbery and gang assault charges.
The victim was standing in front of a McDonald’s on Broadway near W. 145th St. when a crew of muggers ran up and jumped him about 9:15 p.m., police said.
He was punched and kicked unconscious before the attackers ran off with the sneakers off his feet, police said.
The victim was taken by medics to Harlem Hospital, where he was treated and released.
The assault was the talk of the sneaker community as the Air Jordan 1s taken are one of the most highly coveted sneakers out on the streets today. Question is, who amongst the crew that perpetrated the assault is going to be the one taking the sneakers home? How’d they know they’d even fit any of them? Were they going to resell them? What exactly was the thought process before they decided to risk their freedom for a single pair of sneakers?
None of the suspects arrested have any priors, but don’t be surprised if names get named after this is all said and done because once kids start looking at jail time over something like this, fear begins to set in and lips begin to loosen. Just sayin.’
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The Tom Sachs x Nike collaborative Nikecraft was one of the surprise hits of 2022 and it seems like the duo is readying a new colorway of their General Purpose Shoe to get 2023 popping.
Highsnobiety is reporting that a third colorway of the Tom Sachs Nikecraft General Purpose Shoe (which arrives in women’s sizing so take note if you get to order) get some buzz building before its release next month.
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According to rumors buzzing around social [sic] media accounts within the sneaker world, Tom Sachs and Nike’s latest GPS sneaker releases on February 5 in a “Field Brown” colorway for the typical price of $110.
In this new form, the same GPS silhouette that fans have come to covet is rendered in an earthy suede, with black laces, Swoosh, and midsole that make the silhouette extra understated, as revealed in early September 2022 photos taken by sneaker leaker @YankeeKicks.
In this extra-subtle form, Sachs’ shoe truly does resemble the Nike Killshot that came before, as its most unusual details — toebox mudguard, reinforced mesh paneling — is obscured by the single hue.
These lowkey look like Timberland field boots, but we’re sure they’re more comfortable. Don’t be surprised if these are seen all over the Big Apple after they drop.
Though resale prices for the first two colorways (a white version followed by a yellow variant) aren’t as high as say a Travis Scott or Off-White Nike collaboration, the Tom Sachs GPS are still a very hot commodity out on these streets, so don’t think for a second these will be an easy cop.
Release date for these puppies is currently set for February 5th. Will you be picking up a pair? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Source: NYPD / NYD
It’s wintertime in New York City and the wolves are out. A Harlem team was beaten unconscious and to add insult to injury, was robbed of his Air Jordans.
The incident went down outside of a McDonald’s located on the corner of 145th Street and Broadway in New York City. According to the New York Daily News, on Saturday (Jan. 7), a 16-year-old was standing outside when several assailants ran up and assaulted him. Per NYPD, the teen was knocked unconscious, and his sneakers were stolen off his person before the attackers ran off.
The NYPD released surveillance footage of the goons, who will likely be caught sooner than later considering their mugs have been made public.
No word on which specific model of Air Jordan 1’s were stolen. While a pair of Nike and Jordan Brand signature sneaker currently retails for $180; vintage, exclusive or rare pairs of can go for thousands of dollars on the resale market.
The NYPD is seeking information on the attack—it’s not snitching if you’re a civilian—and are asking any witnesses to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. A reward of $3500 is being offered for any intel that pans out.
If you choose to wear pricey kicks, keep your head on a swivel, it’s getting too real out here.
Written By Alvin aqua Blanco , Director of Content Posted 36 mins ago @aqua174 Alvin aqua Blanco is the Director of Content in the Men’s Division for iOne Digital, steering Cassius Life and Hip-Hop Wired. Representing the Bronx, he was nurtured by a steady diet of Hip-Hop culture and music. He graduated from the University […]
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Sneakerheads the Kardashian’s are not, but they know the trends that keep people talking. So when Khloe Kardashian showed up to Bronny’s high school basketball game in a pair of Air Jordan 1 “Mochas,” y’all know she knew what she was doing.
Though it was seemingly an attempt to show that she was “up on it,” the move has had a negative effect on sneakerheads who might’ve been interested in paying resale prices for the grails as Khloe single-handedly caused the value to blowup overnight. TMZ is reporting that since Khloe wore the highly sought after sneakers to Bronny’s game last week, Remo from Walk Like Us told TMZ that the resale value skyrocketed like a MF.
Remo tells TMZ … the shoes normally go for a max of $130 for the women’s grade school sizes, but after the Kardashian’s appearance some are going as high as $600 — which we’re told is pretty rare, especially for the female sizes. FYI, sizes 6 and 7 are the most expensive right now. We’re told a spike like this is more common for men’s size, but retailers instantly noticed the price jump up the same day Kim and Khloe sat courtside for the L.A. area high school showcase.
Kim meanwhile was rocking a pair of Travis Scott Air Jordan 1 “Mochas” as well though the resale value on that is already absurd so that didn’t matter. This is a new kind of Kardashian Kurse as far as us sneakerheads are concerned. Thank goodness they haven’t discovered Off-White Air Jordans or Lobster Dunks.
Just give them all the adidas and Reeboks they could ever need and keep it moving. Life is already hard enough dealing with these sneaker bots and backdooring sneaker boutiques, now we gotta deal with Kardashian’s hyping up prices?What do y’all think of Kardashian’s rocking grails and causing resale prices to soar? Let us know in the comments section below.