Crocs wins trade review of import ruling

Bloomberg News

Published June 18, 2008 at 8:05 p.m.

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Niwot-based Crocs Inc., the maker of colorful plastic clogs with holes, persuaded U.S. trade officials to review a judge's decision that it can't block U.S. imports of rival footwear.

The U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington said Wednesday it will review an April 11 determination by one of its judges that there was no violation of Crocs patent rights. The six-member commission gave no indication how it will ultimately rule.

Crocs filed the complaint in March 2006, seeking to block imports of copycat shoes made in Canada and China and sold at stores including Collective Brands Inc.'s Payless. Crocs claimed the companies violated one patent for "breathable footwear pieces" and another for the shoe's design.

ITC Judge Charles Bullock found in April that the patent on the footwear pieces was invalid, and that none of the shoes, including those made by Crocs, were covered by the design patent.

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