Britney Spears has sued Skechers USA, Inc. for more than $1.5 million, claiming the Los Angeles footwear company used her to plug its own roller skates instead of a skating line she designed. Skechers USA. Inc. hired the pop princess on Sept. 1, 2001 to endorse its products, according to the lawsuit filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.
The contract included a bonus royalty payment to Spears in the event that sales increased dramatically as a result of her endorsement — a feat she accomplished in 2002 but was only partly compensated for, the suit claims.
A subsequent deal between Britney Brands and Skechers to sell roller skate-shoes and skating accessories fell apart over Skechers’ slowness in finding a company to make the products and its failure to market them, the suit said. The suit also alleges that the footwear company backed out of a written agreement to sponsor her 2001/2002 concert tour and sell the Britney Brands skates and products.
“Skechers USA used the lure of association with Ms. Spears to benefit sales of their own branded products and failed to honor basic agreements with Britney Brands,” Jonathan Solish, an attorney for Britney Brands, wrote in the lawsuit.
Skechers officials could not be reached for comment.
The suit asks a judge to order Skechers to pay $1 million due to Spears under the merchandising agreement and $500,000 under the tour sponsorship agreement, plus unspecified damages and attorneys fees.
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