How Shoe Princesses Lost Their Brand: Sigerson Morrison

Written By Tamera H. Bennett

Imagine that one day shoes you designed are gobbled up by Reese Witherspoon, Sarah Jessica Parker and Naomi Campbell.  The next day you are fired from your namesake business with no control over a brand that is your name.

Shoe designers and fashion industry darlings Kari Sigerson and Miranda Morrison learned a lesson similar to Steve Jobs when he was fired by APPLE --- if you take the investors' money, you might be giving up a lot of control.

Sigerson and Morrison went into business together in 1991 and had a wonderful run.  In 2006, looking for an infusion of cash, they made a deal with Marc Fisher Footwear for$2.6 million to acquire Sigerson Morrison and the intellectual-property rights to the name.  Sigerson and Morrison each retained a 10% interest and a salary.

About a year ago Sigerson and Morrison were fired and litigation has been ongoing.

Clearly the trademark of Sigerson Morrison has a huge value.  But, will the company be able to fill the shoes of the two namesake designers?

Tamera H. Bennett

Tamera H. Bennett is a wife, mom, lawyer, mediator, blogger, podcaster, and legal writer. For two decades she’s helped clients protect what they create by practicing trademark, copyright and entertainment law in Texas and Tennessee.

Tamera has co-hosted more than 85 episodes of the Entertainment Law Update Podcast since 2009. And, she’s been honored to write for BILLBOARD magazine and the TEXAS LAWYER.

In the summer of 2015, Tamera backpacked 100 miles over 10 days with her son's Boy Scout Troop. Tamera walked her first half-marathon in 2012 and walked the Cowtown Half Marathon in February 2016 and February 2017 with a PR each time. You can visit Tamera’s blog at createprotect.com and follow her on Twitter @tamerabennett.

http://www.tbennettlaw.com
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