Nike Challenges Colorado Ski Apparel Brand Over 'Skiman' Logo

Nike has sent several cease-and-desist logos to a Colorado-based ski apparel brand over its logo, local news outlet Denver7 reported first.

Steve Fucik told the publication that his brand, Skiman LLC, has received letters from Nike challenging his Skiman logo, which appears on almost all of the apparel he makes. In the letters, Nike argues that Fucik’s logo is too similar to its own “Jumpman” logo for its Jordan sneakers.

Fucik, however, has owned the trademark to the Skiman logo since 2020 when he filed the design – which he describes as “a skier performing maneuver called a daffy” – with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), per Denver7. Fucik didn’t receive any challenges from Nike while getting the trademark approved three years ago.

In one letter, Nike requests that Fucik “voluntarily cancel” his ownership of the trademark and in another, the company says it may pursue “any and all available legal remedies… to protect its valuable trademarks.

“I just thought of a logo that just resembled what it is to be free on the mountain,” Fucik told Denver7. “I don’t know how [Nike] found out about me,” he said. “I know they have a team of lawyers that this is what they do is peruse the internet, and look up, you know, small businesses.”

Fucik said that rebranding would “completely destroy [his] business” and while he’s attempted to negotiate with Nike, he’s been unsuccessful.