Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
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L.A. Gear, Inc. v. Thom McAn Shoe Company
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
988 F.2d 1117 (1993)
L.A. Gear's Hot Shots sneakers were a hot commodity in the late nineteen eighties. In L.A. Gear versus Thom McAn Shoe Company, L.A. Gear challenged another manufacturer trying to cash in on Hot Shots' popularity.
L.A. Gear or Gear obtained a design patent for its Hot Shots' athletic shoes. The shoes were wildly successful and sold in department and specialty stores.
After seeing Hot Shots' success, Melville Corporation and its Thom McAn division, which we'll collectively call Melville, decided to copy them. Melville manufactured copies of Gear's shoes displaying Melville's trademarks.
Melville shoes sold in discount stores.
Gear sued Melville in federal district court alleging patent and trade dress infringement.
Melville responded that Gear's patent was invalid because the design was functional and composed of elements found in the prior art. The district court found Melville liable on both claims and entered judgment in Gear's favor.
Melville appealed to the federal circuit.
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Get more case briefs explained with Quimbee. Quimbee has over 42,700 case briefs (and counting) keyed to 988 casebooks ► quimbee.com/case-briefs-overview
L.A. Gear, Inc. v. Thom McAn Shoe Company
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
988 F.2d 1117 (1993)
L.A. Gear's Hot Shots sneakers were a hot commodity in the late nineteen eighties. In L.A. Gear versus Thom McAn Shoe Company, L.A. Gear challenged another manufacturer trying to cash in on Hot Shots' popularity.
L.A. Gear or Gear obtained a design patent for its Hot Shots' athletic shoes. The shoes were wildly successful and sold in department and specialty stores.
After seeing Hot Shots' success, Melville Corporation and its Thom McAn division, which we'll collectively call Melville, decided to copy them. Melville manufactured copies of Gear's shoes displaying Melville's trademarks.
Melville shoes sold in discount stores.
Gear sued Melville in federal district court alleging patent and trade dress infringement.
Melville responded that Gear's patent was invalid because the design was functional and composed of elements found in the prior art. The district court found Melville liable on both claims and entered judgment in Gear's favor.
Melville appealed to the federal circuit.
Want more details on this case? Get the rule of law, issues, holding and reasonings, and more case facts here: quimbee.com/cases/l-a-gear-inc-v-thom-mcan-shoe-company
The Quimbee App features over 42,700 case briefs keyed to 988 casebooks. Try it free for 7 days! ► quimbee.com/case-briefs-overview
Have Questions about this Case? Submit your questions and get answers from a real attorney here: quimbee.com/cases/l-a-gear-inc-v-thom-mcan-shoe-company
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