French Court of Appeal rules on shoe that ‘breathes’
Following an ongoing dispute between French inventor Stanislas Graire and the Italian footwear brand GEOX, concerning the rights to ‘the shoe that breathes’ a French Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of allowing Mr Graire rights to the design. The court ruled that Mr Graire was the designated owner to the rights on the invention of the sole that ‘breathes’ - through perforations thus reducing moisture – described in his patent filed in France.
The GEOX shoe that ‘breathes’ has, however, become one the leading international brands of footwear and the design is attributed to Moretti Polegato who claims the rights to the sole that allows sweat evacuation and protection from moisture.
The ruling could, however, be viewed as a compromise rather than a victory. Whilst GEOX will be able to continue the manufacture of its shoe, so Mr Graire will be able to launch the “Graire Sole” onto the market.
