Nike and The Shoe Surgeon Settle Trademark Dispute

After nearly a year of legal back-and-forth, Nike and The Shoe Surgeon have reached a confidential settlement, ending a high-profile trademark infringement lawsuit. As reported by Bloomberg Law and reviewed by Complex, Dominic Ciambrone—the custom sneaker designer known as The Shoe Surgeon—has agreed to pay Nike an undisclosed sum to resolve the dispute.

Nike originally filed suit in 2024, alleging that The Shoe Surgeon had infringed on several of its trademarks through the mass production of unauthorized, custom-built Nike sneakers. The brand claimed damages “totaling over $60 million.”

According to reports, the settlement permits Ciambrone to continue making one-off custom sneakers under specific conditions but prohibits him from selling products that violate Nike’s intellectual property rights. That means no more mass-produced customs using Nike silhouettes, branding, or tooling.

Following the original filing, Ciambrone issued a public response stating, “We are confused Nike has chosen litigation over a discussion, but we are confident with proper dialogue and collaboration we can resolve this with the new management team and turn it into a win for the culture.” He continued, “Creating defines us. Our pursuit of greatness is the soul of every creation and authenticity is stitched into our DNA.”

Nike also shared a statement with Complex, explaining its stance on the lawsuit:

“It is unfortunate that after many attempts to resolve this matter privately, we’ve had to take legal action against the Shoe Surgeon for counterfeiting, mass customization, and trademark infringement… These activities are illegal, deceive consumers, and create confusion in the marketplace around source, authenticity, and quality of Nike products.”

While details remain under wraps, the agreement signals the end of a contentious chapter, one that underscores the fine line between customization and infringement in today’s sneaker landscape.