Nike files lawsuit in China over alleged copying of Air Jordan logo

SHANGHAI (AP) - Nike is suing two Chinese shoemakers and the local operations of a French supermarket chain over alleged illegal copying of its Air Jordan logo, local media reported Tuesday.

Nike Inc., the world's largest sports apparel company, says it found shoes made by the companies being sold in outlets operated by the Auchan chain in Shanghai and the nearby city of Ningbo, the China Daily newspaper said.

It says the shoes, which sold for about 100 yuan (US$13; ?9) a pair, bear the logo of former Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan dunking a basketball, the copyright for which is held by Nike, the report said. Authentic Air Jordan's sell for many times that amount.

Nike is suing Auchan's Shanghai and Ningbo offices and shoemakers, Jinjiang Kangwei Shoes Co. Ltd and Jinjiang Longzhibu Shoes Co. Ltd., demanding they cease making and selling the shoes, apologize, and pay 1 million yuan (US$131,000) in damages, the report said.

A second hearing by the Shanghai No. 2 Intermediate People's Court was held on Monday with no decision announced.

The report cited lawyers for the defendants as questioning the validity of Nike's claims, saying the logo wasn't well known in China, and disputing the amount of damages demanded. Spokesmen for the companies could not immediately be reached.

Nike itself is being sued in the United States by Reebok International Ltd., which alleges its rival infringed on a patent covering "collapsible shoe" technology that allows sneakers to be folded so they can more easily be packed for travel or shipping.