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While in the boot, the sockless foot is in full contact with the shearling lining, thereby maximizing the thermal properties of the boot, and enabling the wearer to optimize thermal comfort. The mid-calf shaft, while not encasing the entire lower foot in sheepswool, further enhances the thermal qualities of the boot by encasing the ankle and lower portion of the leg. The wide, rounded toebox, wide shaft, and wide heelbox with a heel-less sole enhance the comfort level by providing a non-constricting space for the foot. The durable sole in the classic Ugg measures at the toe approximately 1/2 inch, at the arch 3/4 inch, and at the heel 1 inch. The thick padding of the sole increases foot comfort during movement, while the soft shank ensures that the weight of the classic Ugg is minimized.
While in the boot, the sockless foot is in full contact with the shearling lining, thereby maximizing the thermal properties of the boot, and enabling the wearer to optimize thermal comfort. The mid-calf shaft, while not encasing the entire lower foot in sheepswool, further enhances the thermal qualities of the boot by encasing the ankle and lower portion of the leg. The wide, rounded toebox, wide shaft, and wide heelbox with a heel-less sole enhance the comfort level by providing a non-constricting space for the foot. The durable sole in the classic Ugg measures at the toe approximately 1/2 inch, at the arch 3/4 inch, and at the heel 1 inch. The thick padding of the sole increases foot comfort during movement, while the soft shank ensures that the weight of the classic Ugg is minimized.


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==Trademark controversy==
{{Original research|date=August 2008}}
In 1971, Shane Stedman registered the term ''Ugh-boot'' and other terms as trademark with the Australian Trade Mark Registry. These trademarks were subsequently sold to the American company [[Deckers Outdoor Corporation]], which also registered other trademarks, such as ''UGG Australia'' in 1999. By 2003, Deckers had begun a campaign of legal threats against Australian manufacturers and vendors using variants of "ugh boots" to describe their wares.

As a result, Bruce and Bronwyn McDougall, owners of [[Uggs-N-Rugs]], a [[Western Australia]]-based manufacturer, started legal action to have ug, ugg and ugh boots removed from the Australian Trademarks Registry. In January 2006, they succeeded in having Deckers's Australian trademark removed, and the words and the names were once again generic terms for sheepskin boots. Ian Thompson, Delegate of the Registrar of Trade Marks, stated: "[t]he evidence overwhelmingly supports the proposition that the terms UGH BOOT(S), UG BOOT(S) and UGG BOOT(S) are interchangeably used to describe a specific style of sheepskin boot and are the first and most natural way in which to describe these goods which should innocently come to the minds of people making this particular style of sheepskin boot."<ref name="trademark hearing"/>

Deckers Outdoor Corporation decided not to challenge the decision in a higher court, but still hold the trademark in the United States and the European Union and continue to refer to their product as "UGG footwear". They have continued a campaign against other companies referring to products as "ugg", "ugly" or "ugh" boots. They claim that they continually monitor usage of the above names on the World Wide Web, using legal means to shut down any auction or website that they feel infringes their trademark.<ref>[http://media.www.uggsnrugs.com Decker Outdoor Corporations "uggsnrugs" web-site], accessed [[25 September]] [[2007]].</ref> Deckers have also registered the domain uggsnrugs.com,<ref>On [[25 September]] [[2007]], this web page read: ''This website is operated by Deckers Outdoor Corporation. Deckers is not affiliated in any way with Uggs-N-Rugs, Kenwick, Western Australia. If you are looking for Uggs-N-Rugs, Kenwick, Western Australia, type “uggs-n-rugs.com” into your browser.''</ref> an example of [[cybersquatting]]. They refer to the above-mentioned decision of the Australian Registrar of Trademarks, but incorrectly{{Fact|date=September 2007}} claim it is an opinion rather than a judicial determination, and has little-to-no value as a legal precedent in the United States - which is also incorrect.<ref>[http://media.www.uggsnrugs.com Decker Outdoor Corporations "uggsnrugs" web-site]</ref> The website also lists the results of [[Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy]] cases taken to an [[arbitration]] provider, which mostly relate to cybersquatting by Deckers. A search of the US trademark registry yields the following information on the very first time UGG was trademarked in the US (and note that it was abandoned in 1985):

{{cquote|''The Word Mark UGG Goods and Services (ABANDONED) IC 025. US 039. G & S: FOOTWEAR, NAMELY BOOTS MADE OF SHEEPSKIN. FIRST USE: 19791228. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19791228 Live/Dead Indicator DEAD Abandonment Date July 8, 1985.''<ref>[http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=login&p_lang=english&p_d=trmk Search US Trademarks Register.]</ref>}}

The following is what Deckers state at the domain related to Uggs-n-Rugs.<ref>[http://www.uggs-n-rugs.com.au Uggs-N-Rugs web-site]</ref>:

{{cquote|''Back in 1978, young Australian surfer Brian Smith and his American cohort Doug Jensen introduced the UGG® brand sheepskin boots to the United States. In 1978/79 they Trademarked the name, bought their first container of Uggs and began an initial sales trek from San Diego to Santa Cruz. Jensen left the company before the end of the first year, while Smith continued on tenaciously, eventually making his rags to riches story come true.''<ref>[http://media.www.uggsnrugs.com Decker Outdoor Corporations "uggsnrugs" web-site]</ref>}}

Clearly there is a discrepancy in the dates. The trademark register says that "UGG" (with reference to ugg boots) wasn't used in the US until 1979 but Deckers' claim it was 1978 in their various marketing texts.

Owing to USA trademark laws, many companies selling into the USA now market these boots as "sheepskin boots".--- Popular brands are Emu Australia, [[Warmbat]], [[Uggs-N-Rugs]], RocketDog, Bear Paw and [[Koolaburra]].

In 2006 a '''Save our Aussie Icon''' campaign had been started through the Internet by a number of Australian Manufacturers following on from recent legal proceedings. Also the well-connected Australian Festival USA, Inc, is promoting the Australian made UGG boots and has taken up the fight to get the world know the difference between the MADE in CHINA boots and Australian made ones.


==Ugg boots in popular culture==
==Ugg boots in popular culture==

Revision as of 01:25, 1 February 2009

A pair of Ugg boots with jeans tucked into them.

Uggs refer to a style of casual unisex boot, historically worn by Australian surfers and longtime before that by Australians (estimations first UGG boot was made 165 years before it became popular) for the comfort and warmth after spending hours waiting in the cold sea for a wave. The classic Ugg boot is characterized by a simple construction of soft sheepskin suede, wide footbase, round toe, wide mid-calf shaft with no lacing, and shearling lining the interior of the boot. Constructed with a lightweight, synthetic sole with a soft shank and no heel, the classic Ugg boot is known for its featherweight comfort and spacious toebox. The Ugg is a non-traditional boot, as the shearling acts as a foot lining, obviating the need for a sock, but by not wearing socks, the feet start to stink. They should be cleaned by an Ugg cleaning product, and are not supposed to be exposed to wet areas, for example, snow.

History

Since humans first cultivated sheep, many ancient cultures have made soft sheepskin boots. Their popularity became obscured once leather tanning of more durable leather products like cowhide increased. Unlike cowhide, the sheepskin is soft and easily abraded, resulting in its usage historically reserved for non-taxing usage. In modern history, apparently sheepskin boots gained in popularity as a result of World War I and World War II, when they were popular with aviators because of the need to maintain warmth in non-pressurized planes at high altitudes.[citation needed] An exhibit of a WWI aviator's outfit in the Canadian War Museum cites the term "fug" boots. Ugg boots have also been popular with surfers and competitive swimmers since at least the 1960s, for keeping warm while out of the water. Uggs became ubiquitous among Southern California surfers and Southern California downhill skiers, and from there, Uggs, which name comes from the Australian slang *UGH* for ugly and was thereafter used by everyone for the Aussie UGG boot, were popularized by Hollywood into the American mainstream and later the worldwide market. Since Ugg, by an American company and calling their label UGG@Australia, mass production moved to China in 2005, the Ugg has exploded onto the world market and gained in popularity. Uggs have been identified as a fashion trend for both sexes since the early 2000s.[1][2] Like fashion throughout history, Ugg boots ride the vagaries of fashion trends, with a growth in popularity for men tied to increased celebrity usage (e.g., actor Leonardo DiCaprio in Uggs).[3]

The terms ugg boots, ugh boots and ug boots have been used as generic terms for sheepskin boots in Australia since the 1920s and 1930s,[4] when they first appeared in advertising and other publications. You can get them in various colours and styles.

Design

The combination of its soft shank and delicate sheepskin construction make the classic Ugg a boot designed for casual, short-term usage, and not for rugged, rough-and-tumble work or industrial employment. With no heel in its sole and full interior shearling lining, the Ugg's design is intended for maximum, short-term comfort and warmth.

While in the boot, the sockless foot is in full contact with the shearling lining, thereby maximizing the thermal properties of the boot, and enabling the wearer to optimize thermal comfort. The mid-calf shaft, while not encasing the entire lower foot in sheepswool, further enhances the thermal qualities of the boot by encasing the ankle and lower portion of the leg. The wide, rounded toebox, wide shaft, and wide heelbox with a heel-less sole enhance the comfort level by providing a non-constricting space for the foot. The durable sole in the classic Ugg measures at the toe approximately 1/2 inch, at the arch 3/4 inch, and at the heel 1 inch. The thick padding of the sole increases foot comfort during movement, while the soft shank ensures that the weight of the classic Ugg is minimized.

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Ugg boots have been referred to a handful of times in the best-selling "Clique" series. In the sixth installment, Dial L for Loser, Massie scorned Kristen for wearing her special-edition purple studded Uggs without permission. This is just one of many examples of Ugg notification in the series. Ugg boots also played a major role in the reality show Flavor of Love Girls: Charm School when the winner of the series Saaphyri Windsor had to give her ugg boots away at a thrift store as part of one of the shows challenges. They have also been seen in many TV shows and movies.

References

  1. ^ Grant, Lorrie (December 10, 2003), UGG boots a fashion kick, USA Today, retrieved 2008-03-14 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  2. ^ Stimpert, Desiree. "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Ugg Boots". About.com. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
  3. ^ Telegraph, Daily. "Men in UGG Boots". Telegraph online. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
  4. ^ Decision of a Delegate of the Registrar of Trade Marks with Reasons
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