ASICS America - Running Footwear, Apparel, and Accessories

ASICS Seeks Injunction And Damages From Diesel, Global Brand Marketing And Dillards

Irvine, CA (January 11, 2007) – ASICS® America Corporation (Irvine, California) and ASICS Corporation Japan (Kobe, Japan) announced today that they have filed a lawsuit in the US District Court, Central District of California against Diesel S.P.A. (Vicenza, Italy), Diesel U.S.A., Inc. (New York, NY), Global Marketing, Inc. (Santa Barbara, CA) and Dillard’s, Inc. (Little Rock, AR) for trademark infringement, unfair competition, trademark dilution and false advertising. ASICS is seeking permanent injunctions against these companies to prevent any future sales and distribution of shoes that bear a stripe design similar to ASICS famous stripe design. In addition, ASICS is also seeking damages, including profits and attorney fees.

The Diesel REMY shoe, being widely sold by Dillard’s and others, has stripes on them that are confusingly similar to ASICS globally recognized ASICS Stripes. "These shoes are an attempt to free-ride on the ASICS brand image and goodwill associated with our stripe mark that we have developed over the years." states Michael Zall, Vice President and General Counsel for ASICS America Corporation. "ASICS has spent over 40 years building a world renowned premium brand and nurturing the goodwill represented by this mark. We will do what we must to protect the ASICS brand and to maintain its integrity."

Anima Sana In Corpore Sano – A Sound Mind in a Sound Body. ASICS Corporation, with more than 50 years of footwear manufacturing experience, offers a full line of performance-driven athletic shoes and technical active sports apparel and accessories. For more information, please visit http://www.asics.com/.