How does Nike feel about brands ripping off its iconic designs? It's answered that question in court, bringing lawsuits against brands like Skechers that have dared to ape Swoosh styles. Despite the legal action though, some at the brand find the copycat efforts to be a compliment.
"I'll quote Coco Chanel, 'I think it's flattering,'" NikeLab Senior Design Director of Footwear Nate Jobe tells Sole Collector. "It's just flattering that [the sneakers] have become such a big icon. In their own way I'm sure they have some kind of DNA, but they're borrowing from ours. It hurts sometimes when it's on a bigger scale, but I don't really pay attention to that stuff."
Jobe's quote is an echo of a similar sentiment expressed by Nike CEO Mark Parker, who said in 2016 that he was flattered by Louis Vuitton making its own version of Nike's Pegasus runner.
These comments aside, any flattery isn't likely to slow Nike's litigious moves to protect its products.
