Australian company fights to keep producing ugg boots

AN AUSTRALIAN maker of “ugg” boots is fighting to continue producing the iconic footwear as a US company cracks down.

AN AUSTRALIAN maker of “ugg” boots is fighting to continue producing the iconic footwear as a US company cracks down.

The billion dollar US company Deckers Corporation has trademarked the word “UGG Australia” and is the only company legally allowed to use the name in the United States, China and Europe.

It creates the bizarre situation that sheepskin boots made in China by an American company may be the only boots allowed to be branded as “UGG” boots in these countries.

Ironically Australian producers like Eddie Oygur of Australian Leather Pty Ltd, whose family business has been making ugg boots in Sydney for about 25 years may be sent out of business.

Deckers is trying to stop Mr Oygur’s company, which makes about 50,000 pairs of boots from Australian sheepskin, from describing his products as ‘ugg boots’ anywhere in the world.

American apparel giant seeking to kill off Sydney UGG business. @BryanSeymour1 #7News https://t.co/gTZfA1chxR

— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) May 23, 2016

If it is successful in a court action against Mr Oygur, which it has launched in the US, then this could see the Aussie boots destroyed and money in Australian Leather’s bank accounts transferred to Deckers. Mr Oygur may also have to pay the company damages.

“Ugg boots are a quintessentially Australian product — the product and name were invented here, they’re not just part of our culture, they create local jobs and export earnings,” a Change.org petition started by Senator Nick Xenophon states.

The senator is backing Mr Oygur and he wants the Australian Government to step in and pass laws to protect the Ugg boot.

“I’d like to have a fair go selling Australian made products all over the world,” Mr Oygur told Seven News. “Somebody has to stand up for this.”

To support Mr Oygur, sign the petition.

Eddie Oygur of Australian Leather and Senator Nick Xenophon at Australian Leather.