Nick Xenophon joins Aussie Ugg boot maker to defend suit by US footwear giant Deckers

Former high-profile politician Nick Xenophon will be back in the spotlight as he joins the legal team fighting for an Australian icon in the US.

Former high-profile politician Nick Xenophon makes a return to the spotlight today as he joins the legal team fighting for an Australian icon.

Mr Xenophon, who returned to the legal profession after unsuccessfully contesting the seat of Hartley in last year’s state election, will join shoemaker Eddie Oygur as he travels to the US to face a jury trial over his use of the term “ugg boots”.

Nick Xenophon protesting with Australian Ugg boot maker Eddie Oygur in California in 2017.

Mr Oygur is being sued by footwear giant Deckers for selling a small number of his lambswool boots in the US, where the company claims to own the rights to the word “ugg”. Deckers has sued Australian Leather Pty Ltd, and Mr Oygur personally, in a Chicago Court, claiming trademark infringement.

It is seeking to seize his ugg boot stock, property and bank accounts, a move Mr Oygur says would bankrupt him.

“Why is it that the French protect the term ‘Champagne’, the Greeks ‘feta’, the Portuguese ‘Port’, but Australian politicians are too gutless to stand tall for an iconic Australian product — the ugg boot?” Mr Xenophon asked.