In a dramatic legal twist that could reshape the sneaker customization landscape, Nike and Los Angeles-based The Shoe Surgeon have reached a settlement in a contentious trademark lawsuit that pitted the sportswear titan against one of its former collaborators-turned-foes.
The settlement, filed Wednesday in Manhattan federal court, resolves Nike’s sweeping seven-claim suit against The Shoe Surgeon (real name Dominic Ciambrone) and his business partner Dallas Imbimbo. The agreement includes a consent judgment in Nike’s favor and a confidential payment by the defendants, closing the book on a fiery $60 million legal saga.
From Collaboration to Confrontation
Nike once embraced The Shoe Surgeon’s artistic sneaker remixes, partnering on more than a dozen projects for celebrities like LeBron James and Usher. But the harmony unraveled in 2024, when Nike sued for federal and state trademark infringement, dilution, unfair competition, and contributory infringement.
According to Nike, the artistry turned rogue: The Shoe Surgeon was allegedly building unauthorized Nike replicas from scratch and branding them deceptively. The complaint also claimed Ciambrone and his team taught others how to produce counterfeit Nike sneakers, fanning the flames of unauthorized reproduction under the guise of art.
