Iconic Australian brand ‘UGG since 1974’ forced to change name amid legal fight with American giant
An Australian UGG boot business has been forced to change its name when shipping overseas.
In a video posted to TikTok, Todd Watts said his brand “UGG Since 1974” had been targeted in a lawsuit, filed in the US by footwear giant Deckers last year.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Ugly trademark dispute has forced an Australian business to change its name.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The brand will drop the word “UGG” from its merchandise in all countries outside of Australia and New Zealand, where it continues to hold the local trademark.
“It’s extremely hard to fight a lawsuit against a multi-billion dollar company, especially as a family-owned, Australian-made business,” he said in a statement to 7NEWS.
“Now, due to this scenario, we’ve decided to transition our brand to Since 74 outside of Australia and New Zealand.
“In Australia and New Zealand we will always forever be ‘UGG Since 1974’ but for those boots leaving our borders and heading over to you guys overseas, we will transition our brand to ‘Since 74’.
“We are the original and we will still be the original no matter what our label says on the back of our boots.”
The US shoe company owns the trademark to the word “UGG” in more than a dozen countries, including the United States.
Originally published on 7NEWS
