What I always found so weird about the lawsuit was that the shoes only had the colors and the founding years on them. No letters. But there are people (I know them and ya'll know them too) who love to wear those endorsed shoes. Yeah, and I agree with my soror on the letters on the behind thing.

BLACK-GREEK ORGANIZATIONS’ COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS ANNOUNCE LICENSING AGREEMENT
 

For Immediate Release
Friday, February 09, 2007

Contact Information
Converse
Cheryl Calegari
646-563-7300
cheryl.calegari@converse.com
MELODY’service
Melody M. McDowell - President
Council of Presidents
773-660-2001
melody@melodyservice.com
John S. Kendall
Council of Presidents
312-543-1989
john06@patentcopyright.net


(BPRW) CONVERSE AND BLACK-GREEK ORGANIZATIONS’ COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS ANNOUNCE LICENSING AGREEMENT
Agreement Represents Long-Term Arrangement And Collaborative Partnership

(BLACK PR WIRE) (N. Andover, MASS – February 9, 2007) - Converse and representatives from the Council of Presidents, which comprises the leadership of nine historic African-American Fraternities and Sororities, announced today they have entered into a long-term licensing agreement and unique multi-part business opportunity to dismiss a trademark infringement lawsuit filed in 2003 by six of the organizations. The multi-year licensing agreement enables Converse to manufacture, distribute and sell footwear featuring the trademarks of these organizations which represent over 1.8 million members worldwide.

The organizations participating in the licensing agreement are Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and lota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

As part of the business arrangement and licensing agreement, Converse has agreed to pay the organizations a percentage of the gross revenue on every product sold by Converse that bears the trademark of the organizations. One of the avenues available for a partnership with the company will be products that feature the respective Centennial celebrations in 2008 for the Converse brand and for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Converse will also host cross-functional summer internships to college and university students from these organizations beginning June 2007. The internships offer graduate level students the opportunity to work in finance, brand and product marketing functions of the company, providing practical business and unique mentoring and experience for emerging leaders.


Samuel C. Hamilton, Chairman of The Council of Presidents and Chief Executive Officer of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., said: “This is an example of how a disagreement can be channeled into cooperation. It is in our mutual interests to develop licensed products that our members will want to support while also providing training to some of our future business executives. That is in line with our mission and serves our members.”

“We are incredibly excited about this announcement joining two historic institutions to collaborate on unique business opportunities and ideas moving forward. We have developed an extremely positive relationship and innovative resolution with the Council of Presidents. We look forward to a long term relationship to further support the fraternities and sororities rich heritage through the brand’s dedication to originality and brand democracy,” said Jack Boys, Chief Executive Officer, Converse.

Barbara McKinzie, International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., added, “It is fortunate that we are able to overcome the challenges that marked the start of our relationship with such a positive outcome. This licensing arrangement gives Converse an opportunity to support some of the community programs our organizations have in place; and the footwear angle gives us an opportunity to use the licensed products to focus on continuing a healthy and active lifestyle. This is the ultimate win/win proposition.”

ABOUT CONVERSE:
Established in 1908, the Converse brand has built a reputation as “America’s Original Sports Company”™ and has been associated with a rich heritage of legendary shoes such as the Chuck Taylor® All Star® shoe, the Jack Purcell® shoe and the One Star® shoe. Converse was the first basketball shoe to ever make contact with the court in 1917. Soon after, Converse gained iconic status with the creation of the Chuck Taylor All Star shoe, which went unmatched through five decades of professional basketball. For more information, visit us on the web at www.converse.com.

ABOUT THE COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS:
The Council of Presidents is comprised of the heads of the nine traditionally African-American Greek-lettered Organizations that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council. They collectively represent over 1.8 million college-trained men and women throughout the United States and abroad. Each organization is bound by a commitment to service.
http://www.blackprwire.com/display-news.asp?id=2931

I assume that there must be some clause in the licensing agreement whereby the shoes are only to be sold to members. There must be....

SC

I would think there would be...like only buying them on national websites, etc.

I think this is a wonderful idea that they have come up with to resolve the matter. I look forward to the products that they will be coming out with. I also hope they will also have an agreement to sell items to those they didn't represent before (Zeta, SGRho and Iota). And to Converse, it's not too late to do a centennial shoe for the Alphas. ;)

Thankfully yes, yes it is too late.

I will clown anyone under 60 who wears Alpha converse.

It's in much better taste to just wear black and gold shoes. I have some black, gold, and white Pumas that everybody sweats me for, LOL. I also have these mustard and black New Balance that "pass" for black and gold depending on what else I'm wearing.

But actually Alpha related symbols on a shoe is a no-go for me personally. It's not because you shouldn't wear symbols below the waist, but because it just doesn't look right to me.

It appears that Zeta, SGRho and Iota are included in this new authorized licensing agreement while we opted out.

No it's not. Since the centennial was in December, so this techinally the 100th year...:p

And why did DST opted out? This is what I get for reading too fast.

Actually, it is their 101st year.


Sorry, couldn't resist.

I was just kidding. :p

Never mind. I got an answer per Jet Magazine.

What did the article in Jet Magazine say?

IMHO, I think that it was a good idea to opt out....I sense that with the success of "Stomp the Yard" and the increasing appearance of stepping in mainstream media (Today show, NFL, Grammys, Gardisil, Dust Devil & Starbucks commercials) we are going to have any and everybody running to get these shoes....trying to emmulate their "favorite" greek org.


Although the other 8 will get paid under the licensing agreement, how happy will the members be to see their colors and founding date on anyone with $75 bucks to spend?

Dr. Rice said that it wouldn't be in the best for Delta to pursue this. As in terms of why, I don't know and National declined to explain much futher.

I didn't think about it as in terms of with the popularity of step shows and Greek culture has gotten lately. But I doubt you will see these shoes at Foot Locker. Most likely, they will try to sell them on the Internet and try to have guidelines on ordering.

MPO, I wish that Delta would have joined in this agreement. It will not only benefit the sorority with additonal funds, but would have also help sorors who are getting their feet in the door as in terms of marketing. But considering Delta's history with para, I shouldn't be too suprised. Also, since the products are from Converse (which is owned by Nike, BTW), the products would be good quality ones.