Ugg Boots / Sheepskin Boots
We in New Zealand have been wearing these sheepskin ugg boots for at least a hundred years. Kiwi Sheep Shearers and then Surfers, brought ugg boots over to Australia in the first place so we consider them to be a New Zealand Icon. Our sheepskin boots are the originals, having been made by Canterbury Leather company for over 30 years.
Our compliments to Dekkers Corporation for doing such a great job in marketing this great New Zealand Sheepskin Boot concept. Let us hope they do not spoil their success with needless litigation, but it does look like the argument over who owns the ugg name, or now the "ugh" name, will certainly end up in court. Below is the ugg boot article that sums up what is happening from the Australian perspective.
The Ugg Boots Story
There's no business like shoe business / UK Independent News - Feb 17, 2004
This year's must-have fashion footwear has kick-started an Ugg ly battle between an Australian cottage industry and a giant US corporation. Kathy Marks reports on a fight to the last.
Tony Mortel's hair is standing on end, an effect created by equal doses of gel and outrage. "Who do they think they are?" he fumes. "Telling us what we can and can't call our product, trying to stop us from making a living. Well, they can stick their demands where the sun doesn't shine."
Tony comes from seven generations of boot-makers and, for the past 45 years his family has been making Uggs, the once dowdy sheepskin boots now worn by the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Moss. Their factory in Australia's Hunter Valley turns out 16,000 pairs of ugg boots a year. At least it used to, before a large US company across the Pacific Ocean began taking an unwelcome interest in their affairs.
Staff at Mortels Sheepskin Factory had just returned from their Christmas break when a letter arrived from the Melbourne solicitors of Deckers Outdoor Corporation, a California-based conglomerate. The letter, which was sent to 19 other Australian firms, informed them that Deckers owned all rights to the name Ugg and instructed them to stop using it or face litigation.
"I just laughed," says Tony. "I thought they were crazy. I threw it in the bin." But it was no laughing matter. Soon afterwards, at the instigation of Deckers, Mortels was ejected from eBay, the internet auction site where it had been selling Uggs to American consumers. Last Wednesday, it was ordered by Icann, the internet regulatory body, to stop using "Ugg" in its domain name.
Read the rest of the article »
Ugg Boots Testimonial
"My husband thought he was buying me another pair of Ugg boots. What a surprise I got when I opened them. They are a piece of junk purchase from company in WA. in the USA. called REI sporting.
He had purchased a pair just like them for himself from Cosco a large discount store here in the US. They are EXACTLY the same except mine have the Ugg stiching and logo.
I was heartsick since he paid $110.00 for them. I had owned a wonderful pair from 12 years ago which I purchased in California that had the wonderful THICK lining and still are warm except I had worn a hole in the toe. My new (Ugg) boots are a CHEAP imitation made in China just like his $29.00 boots. I tried to tell him I wanted to return them but he wanted me to try them. I have called several shoe stores and they all tell me they are 100% sheepskin and have been made this way always. I knew it wasn't true, but try convincing a shoe salesman young enough to be my son.
Needless to say I shall save up again and now I at least know where to shop for a REAL pair of your wonderful UGG boots. Maybe you could change the name to the original UGG and do an ad that shows the difference so we uninformed buyers can beware.
Good luck with your lawsuit . Sorry to say but where money is involved big business becomes like an animal, only the big, rich and super liars survive. I shall be sure to tell anyone I come in contact with to beware of these expensive cheaply made fakes like I have. I may just save them to show them the difference in a quality boot and one made in China."
Again good luck KKG, USA
Important Notes on Ugg Boots / Sheepskin Boots Quality
Especially in New Zealand and Australia sSheepskin boots come in a wide range of qualities (and be sure with Chinese made boots, you won't be happy). Because of the growth in sales of sheepskin boots worldwide, there are many cheap copy cat boots available using second grade sheepskin, inferior and dangerous Polyurethane plastic soles, and cost cutting shortcuts in materials and workmanship.
Polyurethane soles, used by those making cheap imitations of our boots, are dangerous when wet as they are so slippery, they are a shiny plastic that looks cheap and will crack and break. Our sheepskin boots have pure rubber soles and have the very best traction available and will last for many years.
Chinese made boots: you will not be happy with these, there is very little quality control in workmanship or materials- and you will need to replace them before a single season. The sheepskins used in China are second grade as they have to buy them from New Zealand or Australia anyway, and they never pay for the best.
Please be assured of our expertise and highest quality. We sell only the top of the line quality sheepskin boots. Our boots are about your comfort. we use real materials. First grade sheepskin and pure rubber soles.
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