Court backs Crocs’ infringement claims

NIWOT – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has ruled that three companies have infringed the patent of Crocs Inc.’s shoes, overturning a previous decision in February of the U.S. International Trade Commission.

The court found that designs of shoes by Double Diamond Distribution LTD in Saskatoon, Saskatachewan; Effervescent Inc. of Fitchburg, Mass.; and Holey Soles Holding LTD of Vancouver, British Columbia, infringed the patent of Crocs Inc.’s (Nasdaq: CROX) shoes by producing copycat footwear.

Crocs filed a complaint on March 31, 2006 that these companies along with seven others infringed the design patents used in Crocs’ Caymen, Kids’…