As a part of a wider trademark protection programme, the footwear lining manufacturer DuPont Cambrelle has issued a cease and desist notice against a US company. The notice calls on Ligonier, Indiana-based G&S Products to stop referring to its ‘Sport 2’ line of shoes as containing the special Cambrelle fabric, as tests carried out by DuPont found that this was not the case.

Explains Kieran O’Hare, Global Cambrelle Business Manager with DuPont: "The US company is the latest in a series to have been issued with a notice of this kind by DuPont. For too long now, the Cambrelle name has been wrongly used as a generic description for a sweat-dispersing footwear lining. This is in spite of the fact the actual product is a trademark-protected, carefully engineered nonwoven fabric with a distinct set of performance characteristics.

"Because of our efforts in educating the market over the past couple of years, the consumer is increasingly becoming aware of the benefits attached to the real item, which is why we are now taking action of this kind. We believe that if its says Cambrelle or looks like Cambrelle, that’s what the consumer has a right to expect, not some imitation that’s going to last only half the life of the shoe and cause discomfort in the meantime.

"This refers not only to the description of the lining but also its appearance, as we are also taking action against organisations that have copied the distinct pique pattern of the product."

Though the G&S Product was brought to DuPont’s attention by a customer, the company has also identified counterfeit items through its world-wide trademark infringement programme, under which suspect items of footwear are bought at random and tested. Where counterfeit items are discovered, both the footwear brand and retailer are held accountable, as is the manufacturer, and a claim for compensation frequently pursued.

"We feel that the legitimate footwear trade has put up with this kind of practice for too long," commented Mr O’Hare. "We would encourage other brand owners to follow our example."