Skechers sued L.L. Bean this week, accusing the outdoor apparel company of copying the design of its popular shoes.

According to the suit, Skechers believes that L.L. Bean intentionally replicated the company’s patented heel cup design for use in its Freeport shoe line.

“Only after Skechers incurred the substantial risk and monumental expense of developing and promoting its shoes with these heel cup designs, and established that they had broad appeal, did L.L. Bean enter the market with its infringing shoe,” the complaint reads.

According to Skechers, the heel cup design is easily identifiable and led to the popularity of the shoes.

L.L. Bean hasn’t responded to the accusations. Its Freeport shoes retail for $99.

With the suit, Skechers wants to halt the sale of any possible infringing shoes made by L.L. Bean and unspecified damages.

• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.