Kizik is coming after a competing footwear company for allegedly infringing on its utility patents.
In a lawsuit filed Sept. 16 in the Southern District of Ohio, Kizik accused Tishkoff Enterprises, LLC, dba “Drew Shoe” for patent infringement of its signature cage technology that has allowed them to innovate in the hands-free shoe category.
“Drew Shoe is offering for sale and selling imitation hands-free footwear products that infringe Kizik’s patents in connection with marketing and advertising materials that have been directly and intentionally created to mimic the overall look and feel of Kizik’s brand and marketing approach,” the lawsuit alleged. “Drew Shoe’s recently-announced line of infringing hands-free footwear products are not manufactured or licensed by Kizik, nor is Drew Shoe connected or affiliated with, or authorized by, Kizik in any way.”
According to Kizik, Drew Shoe’s hands-free footwear line incorporates the use of a similar flexible lattice on the heel of the shoe in at least the Connor, Corbin, Caleb, Bobbie, Hobby and Harmony footwear models.
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“The infringing products are included in the Drew Shoe ‘Spring/Summer 2025’ catalog and are knock-offs of well-known and patented Kizik technologies,” the lawsuit stated. “On information and belief, Drew Shoe recently advertised, displayed, offered for sale and sold the Drew Shoe infringing products at the Atlanta Shoe Market trade show on or around August 10 to 12, as advertised on Drew Shoe’s Facebook page.”
Kizik also alleged in the lawsuit that Drew Shoe acted with “intentional and bad faith conduct” when designing and promoting its alleged infringing products. This was illustrated in the lawsuit by highlighting Drew Shoe’s “LOOK MA! No Hands, No Hassle, NO KIDDING” advertising, which is substantially similar to Kizik’s original hands-free advertising using its “Look Ma, No Hands” slogan.
According to Kizik, Drew Shoes is not the first brand to have infringed upon its patents, the company said in an email to FN, and the brand is finally cracking down on the copycats. Kizik holds over 200 patents and have mastered the slip-in technology for hands free footwear.
“Protecting Kizik’s innovation is essential to our mission as pioneers in the hands-free footwear category,” Monte Deere, chief executive officer of Kizik, told FN in a statement. “Our patented cage technology sets us apart, and we will not allow imitators to undermine the integrity of our brand. As a leader in innovation, we are taking decisive action to safeguard our intellectual property while also offering opportunities for collaboration across the industry. Kizik remains committed to delivering groundbreaking, hands-free solutions while ensuring the future of our technologies and designs is protected.”
FN has also reached out to Drew Shoes for comment.
