Short Sheepskin Boots

Why do Australian ugg-boot companies allow an American company to proprietize this generic Australian name?

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Why do Australian ugg-boot companies allow an American company to proprietize this generic Australian name?

For Americans that's like proprietizing “hot dog” or “hamburger” or “milkshake” or “apple pie”

>>Uggly price for 'our' boots

By JENNIFER MELOCCO, Style Writer

Courtesy: Daily Telegraph, Sydney May 19, 2005

IF IT wasn't enough that a US footwear giant stopped Australian producers using the name “ugg'', now it is charging hundreds of dollars for the humble boots.

Deckers Corporation has made a major step to take out the local ugg boot market.
The company, which took legal action against local firms, is selling its boots for $240 in Sydney.

“We have had them [ugg boots] in Australia for over 100 years, but they haven't been very fashionable to wear,'' Ugg Australia brand manager Paul Karis said yesterday.

The move to bring the US boots on to Australian turf has angered local producers.

Blue Mountains ugg boot producer Brian Iverson, who was affected by the Ugg ban, believes the original Aussie product can stand up to the US competition.

“They may charge roughly double the price as us, but we still use quality Australian sheepskin,'' Mr Iverson said.

“It just depends if you want to buy a Commodore or a Rolls-Royce – in the end they both do the same job.'' The Westhaven Association at Dubbo was another company forced by Deckers to stop using the term “ugg''.

It has been producing boots for 30 years, but had to change its name from the Westhaven Ugg Boot Shop to the Westhaven Sheepskin Warehouse. General manager Gordon Tindall called on buyers to support Australian companies.

“People are astounded how an Aussie icon can be taken over,'' he said. “It's up to local buyers if they want to deal with an Australian company or a multinational.''

Stephanie Mortel, of the Maitland-based Mortel Sheepskin Factory, said her family company was forced to stop using the term “ugg'' on eBay.

Local producers claim “ugg'' is a generic term and never should have been sold off to the US company. < <

Footnote to the above story:

All ugg boots sold by Uggs Down Under are genuine Australian made uggs and we have no connection with the US owned and based company, 'Ugg Australia'.< <

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