MOSCOW, June 20 (RAPSI, Maria Zuyeva) - US shoe maker Skechers has filed a lawsuit with a court in California against Reebok on infringement of patent rights with respect to the Go Walk shoe model, Reuters reports citing a statement by Skechers.

Reebok is an affiliate of Adidas AG (Germany), the world’s second largest manufacturer of sportswear and accessories.

Reuters reports that Skechers has filed for compensation and damages as well as a cease and desist order against Reebok, which allegedly violated a Skechers’ patent and is practicing unfair competition.

Skechers also announced that it would file a similar suit against any retailer selling Walk Ahead RS by Reebok, Reuters writes.

According to previous reports, both companies have been fined for misleading advertising practices. Last May, Skechers was ordered to pay a $40 million fine for an advertisement that claimed that Shape-ups sneakers help lose weight without exercising in a gym.

The Federal Trade Commission was concerned about an advertisement in which Skechers claims that wearing a specially designed shoe helps lose weight, improve posture and tone up lower body muscles without any other physical exercise. The FTC stated that the clinical trials referred to in the Skechers ad were unverifiable.

In September, 2011 the FTC ruled that Reebok had to pay $25 million in damages to disappointed customers who bought “muscle-building” Easy Tone sneakers.