No More Phonies: Nike Is Granted Federal Trademark Protection for the Air Jordan 1

It's a well-known fact that Jordan Brand's Air Jordan 1 has been the target of bootlegging over the years, as the iconic silhouette has only grown in popularity since its debut in 1985. Now, Nike Inc. is fighting back against the fakes, receiving federal trademark protection from the USPTO for the Air Jordan 1 High, the Air Jordan 1 Low, and the Air Jordan 1 Low SE.

The news, first announced by Instagram page @sneakerlawfirm, means that the silhouette is considered a unique product by the U.S. government, therefore Nike as significantly more scope to prosecute those who "bootleg" or copy the overall style, as well as key design cues, without making substantial changes. However, the Air Jordan 1 Mid doesn't seem to possess the same trademark protection as its fore-mentioned counterparts - potentially due to the fact that it's almost identical to the AJ1 High in composition, the only difference being a shorter collar height.

Nike has always been know to protect its intellectual property from those who attempt to steal it, so the move doesn't come as a surprise. In other Swoosh news, take a look at the Air Jordan 1 "Patent Bred."

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