Nike wins counterfeiting lawsuit against Chinese shoemakers

SHANGHAI (AP) - Nike has won lawsuits against two Chinese shoemakers and the local operations of a French supermarket chain over alleged illegal copying of its Air Jordan logo, a court official said Tuesday.

The Shanghai No. 2 Intermediate Court awarded Nike Inc., the world's largest sports apparel company, a total of 350,000 yuan (US$46,100) in damages from Jinjiang Longzhibu Shoe Co., Jinjiang Kangwei Shoe Co. and retailer Auchan, the official Xinhua News Agency and other reports said.

A court official reached by phone confirmed the reports. The official, who would not give his name, said he did not know if the local companies planned to appeal and would not provide any other information.

There was no immediate response to requests for comment from Beaverton, Oregon-based Nike after business hours.

The case was the latest victory for foreign companies seeking protection from rampant theft of copyrights and other intellectual property in China. Regardless of laws against commercial piracy, counterfeit copies of most products can be easily found in Chinese stores and markets.

Nike said its employees found shoes made by the companies being sold for about 100 yuan (US$13) a pair in outlets operated by the Auchan chain in Shanghai and the nearby city of Ningbo.

Authentic Air Jordan's sell for many times that amount.

The shoes carried the logo of former Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan dunking a basketball, the copyright for which is held by Nike, the report said.

Nike had sought 1 million yuan (US$131,000) in damages, according to earlier reports.