European Court Bans Certain Skechers Step-In Shoes
A Munich patent court ruled that Skechers infringed on hands-free footwear technology held by HandsFree Labs.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Retail
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The Unified Patent Court in Munich has ordered Skechers to halt the distribution and sale of specific step-in shoe styles across 18 European Union countries. The decision follows a patent infringement lawsuit filed by HandsFree Labs in August 2025 regarding hands-free sneaker technology.
Why it matters
The ruling limits the availability of popular step-in footwear in a major market, forcing a shift for the company following its 2022 product launch. It marks a significant legal setback in the ongoing intellectual property dispute between the two footwear firms.
HandsFree Labs reports $100 million in retail sales, while Skechers reported $9 billion in annual sales in 2024. The court's decision affects operations across 18 European Union states.
The players
Skechers
This global footwear company reported $9 billion in annual sales in 2024.
HandsFree Labs
Based in Salt Lake City, this company produces Kizik sneakers and Blue Ox work boots and licenses technology to major brands.
Unified Patent Court
This judicial body handles patent litigation across participating European Union states.
The details
A panel of judges in Germany reviewed the claims and narrowed the scope of the patent, yet still affirmed that the manufacturer infringed on protected designs. The company remains free to sell certain other shoe styles that were excluded from the court's final decision.
Timeline
2017: First pairs of Kizik sneakers went on sale.
2022: Skechers introduced its HandsFree Slip-ins line.
July 2025: HandsFree Labs filed a U.S. patent lawsuit.
August 2025: HandsFree Labs filed the European patent lawsuit.
2024: Skechers reported $9 billion in annual sales.
Market Landscape
This legal action intensifies the competition between niche technology innovators and established footwear giants in the convenience-focused shoe market. It reflects a broader trend of aggressive intellectual property enforcement as brands race to secure market share in the slip-on category.
Consumers in the 18 affected European Union states may see limited availability of specific Skechers slip-in models in the coming months. Shoppers should check local store inventories or online regional sites to determine if their preferred shoe styles remain available for purchase.
The takeaway
Intellectual property disputes can cause immediate changes to product availability in international markets for major retailers. Consumers should be aware that patent litigation may influence which shoe models remain on shelves in their specific region.
Further reading
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Source note: This article includes information reported by Inc..
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