Spears and Skechers Settle Lawsuits
Skechers USA has settled mutual breach of contract lawsuits with Britney Spears, Sketchers said yesterday.
Details of the settlement were not revealed.
In December 2002, Spears filed a $1.5 million lawsuit against the Manhattan Beach, CA-based company, claiming that the company used her image to promote its own 4 Wheelers By Skechers instead of the Britney Spears 4 Wheelers as was agreed upon in a three-year licensing pact (Jan. 8 Xtra).
The lawsuit also claimed that Skechers was slow at finding an outside manufacturer to produce the skates and that the company used her likeness before the Britney 4 Wheelers were available. Sales were low and Spears did not receive bonus royalties, the suit claimed. Spears also contended that Skechers dropped out of a concert sponsorship, part of the three-year deal signed in January 2002.
In March, Skechers filed a suit against Spears and her companies Britney Brands, Inc. and Britney Touring, Inc., alleging that the singer was at fault for not following the contract. The suit said that she did not approve designs and manufacturers for her clothing and accessory line, which caused the company to miss the fall season. Skechers sought damages in excess of $10 million.
The settlements were approved last week by a federal judge in Los Angeles.
