subject: Argument Is Getting Uggly [print this page] SHEEPSKIN shops are maintaining their rage in the battle against a US company to use the name " Bottes UGG " boots. Two years after United States-based corporation Deckers stopped companies using the term, Australian sheepskin boot shops are fighting to call the product by the old Aussie name.The name " ugg " or "ugh" for the popular sheepskin boots that have been sold and worn in Australia for decades, was registered as a trademark in 1986 and bought by Deckers in 2010. As the fleecy boot became a fashion must-have and internet sales boomed, Deckers successfully took legal action in 2010 to prevent companies here using the name ugg. Angry small companies making Australian ugg boots have banded together under the banner "Save Our Aussie Icon" and are trying to legally snatch back the ugg name.
Perth retailers Bronwyn and Bruce McDougall lodged applications with the government trademark regulator, IP Australia, disputing Deckers' right to ugg and ugh."In nearly 30 years of selling ugg boots, I can't recall a customer saying they want to buy sheepskin boots -- it's always uggs, uggies, huggies or ugg boots, " said Mrs McDougall, who with her husband has been selling the footwear at Uggs -n-Rugs since 1978."It's a descriptive word. It was put into the Macquarie Dictionary in 1982, where it is referred to as a 'fleecy-lined boot'. "The McDougalls lodged a non-use application with IP Australia in December 2010, attempting to claim the term "ugh- boots " back from Deckers.They are also trying to register their store name, Uggs -n-Rugs, but are being opposed by the American company.
On Deckers' website it says it acquired Ugg Holdings Inc from Brian Smith who founded UGG Bottes in 1979 to import sheepskin boots from Australia to the US.Smith has been reported saying he knew ugg boots was a common Australian term before he made it a US trademark.The Perth couple have the support of sheepskin shops, many of which have lodged applications fighting for their own store names.In the New South Wales country town of Dubbo, retailer Gordon Tindall says although Deckers may have the legal rights to ugg, the US footwear corporation essentially took a generic Aussie term.
Is taking the" ugg -ly plunge hot or not ?
Jan. 17, 2010 -- To UGG or not to UGG? That was the question posed by Hot Mama Daily back in December 2010, and inquiring minds still want to know. I too have been hesitant to take the UGG plunge, especially since the boots retail for $180 bucks. So I did the only thing that makes sense to me -- I found a knockoff pair of UGGs at Payless on sale for $34.99. After a little web research, I found that the metallic gold Payless boots -- the Airwalk Metallic Reagan Boot -- mimic the UGG Australia "Classic Tall Metallic UGG pas cher .
My husband wasn't too impressed. When did you turn into a gold robot? he asked with a laugh. He added that the boots look like the alien costume from the original "The Day the Earth Stood Still. "He just doesn't understand fashion, I told myself. But to be honest, I'm not completely sold on the UGG or UGG -wannabe look. The Airwalk version lack support and don't feel as comfortable as I thought they would, they crinkle at the ankles , and gold is a rather bold color. On the plus side, my jeans tuck easily into the boots, the interior shearling material is warm, and the exterior manmade material feels water-resistant. Payless does, however, give you 90 days to return unworn shoes. So my space-y gold boots may not become a permanent fixture in my winter wardrobe. But before I send my Airwalk boots packing, I need some Hot Mama feedback. Do you like these Airwalk knock-offs? Or should I splurge and invest in a real pair of UGGs? In general, do you like UGGs or do you think they'rewell UGG -ly? UGG Soldes Classic Tall Metallic Boot, $180 VS. Airwalk Metallic Reagan Boot, $34.99 Tags: Airwalk boots , metallic boots , Payless, The Day the World Stood Still, UGGs boots
