An American company has sparked controversy by selling Pakistan’s iconic Servis Cheetah sneakers for $99. These high-top sneakers, often referred to as “Tali sneakers,” have been advertised as “Taliban’s favorite shoe” on the company’s website.
New York Times — First to highlight
The association between these iconic shoes and the Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan was highlighted in a New York Times article published on January 30, 2021. This connection has made the Servis Cheetah sneakers a subject of interest beyond their fashion appeal.
Many have argued that Servis, the original Pakistani brand behind these sneakers, should have actively protected its digital space and naming rights. By doing so, they could have capitalized on the global demand for their famous shoes, rather than seeing them marketed under a different banner.
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This situation raises questions about the importance of protecting intellectual property and brand identity in the digital age, where products can quickly gain global recognition and even become associated with unexpected and controversial contexts.
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