Brand name Guru: UGG Australia

UGG Australia is a large American footwear company and is a division of the Deckers Outdoor Corporation, Goleta, California.

A pair of UGG Australia boots

UGG Australia footwear is manufactured in China. UGG is a registered trademark in the United States and over 100 other countries for their brand of sheepskin boots and other footwear, as well as bags, clothing, outerwear and other goods. Deckers also owns registrations for UGG AUSTRALIA brand in various countries around the world.

The UGG Australia brand is best known for its "Classic" sheepskin boots in the Australian ugg boot style, worn by both men and women. Sheepskin boots have been identified as a fashion trend for men and women since the early 2000s.The range has expanded to include not only footwear, but UGG brand bags, clothing, outerwear, hats, gloves and other goods. Deckers has reported sales of US$689 million under the UGG brand in 2008,an increase from US$14.5 million in 1995.

In 1978, an Australian surfer, Brian Smith, introduced his UGG brand boots to the United States, arriving with two dozen pairs. In his first season in business, Brian sold 28 pairs of boots. The UGG brand steadily grew, and in 1995 Deckers Outdoor acquired the business and continued to expand it. Sheepskin boots are now very popular worldwide.

Women's Elite Rain Boots in Black Microfiber Patent

by UGG Australia
Buy New: $174.89 - $250.00
as of 2011-10-22 03:00:37

UGG Australia Women's Classic Cardy Boots Footwear

by Nine West
Buy New: $138.75 - $150.00
as of 2011-10-22 03:00:37

Womens UGG Australia Over the Knee Bailey Button Sparkles...

by UGG Australia
Buy New: $348.95 - $350.00
as of 2011-10-22 03:00:37

UGG Australia Women's Classic Sparkle Short Boots Footwear

by UGG Australia
Buy New: $168.95 - $170.00
as of 2011-10-22 03:00:37

UGG Bailey Button Womens Boots

by
Buy New: $159.99
as of 2011-10-22 03:00:37

UGG Australia kids Classic Short Boots

by UGG Australia
Buy New: $79.89 - $125.00
as of 2011-10-22 03:00:37

Pending USA cases

On December 25, 2010, Deckers Outdoor Corporation filed a trademark infringement suit in a bid to stop Emu Australia from using the UGG name on its sales website (.com). On December 30, Emu Australia counter-sued for the cancellation of Decker's UGG trademark in the U.S. Emu's suit alleges that Decker's trademark was obtained after a false statement to the U.S. Trademark Office and was therefore invalid.

On February 10, 2011, Ugglebo Clogs filed suit against Deckers Outdoor Corp with allegations of unfair competition and deceptive trade practices based on Deckers’ use of the UGG trademark for clogs and footwear. In the suit Ugglebo alleges that through "aggressive litigation, coincidence, and advertising, Defendant has successfully converted "ugg" from a generic term for sheepskin boots in Australia into a trademark for boots in the United States. Furthermore, Defendant has now extended the trademark to many non-boot footwear products such as, for example clogs, slippers and moccasins, as well as non-sheepskin." The suit also alleges reverse confusion, a situation where the senior user’s mark (Ugglebo) becomes dwarfed by the junior user’s mark (Decker), causing consumers to presume the senior user to be the infringer. Ugglebo brand clogs have been manufactured since 1965