Mark Brutzkus recently spoke to Inc. about Kizik’s patent-infringement lawsuit against Sketchers, which has now been filed internationally in addition to the company’s earlier filing in the U.S.
HandsFree Labs, Kizik’s parent company, filed a complaint with the Unified Patent Court in Munich, Germany in hopes of blocking the sales of Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins shoes in all European Union states that are under the court’s jurisdiction. The suit asks for $243,000 in preliminary damages. HandsFree Labs says that Kizik, backed by Nike, is standing up for inventors’ rights.
The article explains that HandsFree Labs’ American case against Skechers is being adjudicated in Marshall, Texas, a go-to location for IP law cases with nearly 20% of all federal patent cases filed in its District Court.
“It’s a rocket docket,” Mark tells Inc. of Marshall, explaining that patent cases there go to trial quickly, many in under two years. Additionally, its judges have a reputation for being friendly to patent holders.
