RELATED: Walmart Is Now Facing Backlash for Selling This. If you’re familiar with sneakers, you will likely recognize Vans’ distinct style. The brand is a staple for skateboarders and teenagers alike, and has been since its founding in 1966. Functional and fashionable, Vans are sought out by customers who want stylish sneakers. But when there is high demand for a product, it often spurs competition.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb This competitive spirit becomes problematic when products are too similar, which is the case with Walmart and Vans. In November 2021, Vans sued Walmart, alleging that the company had been copying and selling over 20 knockoff versions of Vans shoes. As reported by Reuters, earlier this month, a California federal court temporarily blocked Walmart’s sale of these shoes. This ban will continue for the duration of the trademark infringement litigation. In a November 2021 complaint, Vans included photos of Walmart’s “copycat shoes,” stating that the company copied their designs and sold more knockoffs, made by third parties, online. The Walmart shoes range in price between $9.97 and $18.64 before tax, while Vans shoes retail for an average price of $60. “Walmart has truly flooded the market with its cheap, poorly made, and confusingly similar knockoffs,” Vans’ complaint reads. Vans also alleged that Walmart does this with intent, meaning they explicitly sell these products as “Vans dupes” or “Vans knockoffs” suggesting customers can get a Vans product without the price. In the complaint, Vans also included screenshots from several bloggers and social media users that tout the Walmart sneakers as a way to “get the look for less.” RELATED: For more retail news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. Issues became more complicated in January of this year when Walmart countered Vans’ suit and the request for a ban on sales. The company called Vans’ claims “weak,” and stated the company was “not suffering irreparable harm”—which must be proven to enact a ban on sales—nor was its reputation tarnished as a result of Walmart’s products. Walmart stated that the ban would cost them “tens of millions of dollars,” and further refuted any counterfeiting on their part. U.S. District Judge David Carter said that Walmart’s shoes, specifically the Time and True, No Boundaries, and Wonder Nation, “clearly bear striking similarities” to Vans’ Old Skool shoe. The injunction was announced on Thursday, March 31, Reuters reported, with Judge Carter stating that “the high degree of similarity between Walmart’s allegedly infringing shoes and the respective Vans models raises an inference of intent to confuse.” Countering Walmart’s claims, the injunction also states Vans may in fact experience irreparable harm without injunctive relief. “We are reviewing the order and considering our options. We plan to continue defending the company,” Walmart told Best Life in an email. Best Life reached out to Vans for comment on the lawsuit, but has yet to hear back. RELATED: Walmart Is Pulling This Product From Shelves, Effective Immediately.
