Trademark applications have been filed by Nike founder Phil Knight to mix two pairs of virtual shoes into a new one. Creation possibilities seem endless.
Just last week, Facebook made waves because they made it clear that they want to be a major component in the creation of the Metaverse. Now, Nike is hinting a major push towards the virtual space.
What if your favourite part of sneaker - the sole, for instance - could be combine with the design of another shoe. Then, you could produce your own colour, and pick your own material. You could come up with an exclusive design, and you can buy it or even sell it - and probably get a percentage of the sale.
Back in December 2019, Nike filed a patent for Cryptokicks, which pair a Non-fungible token with a physical shoes release. Once a sneaker is bought by a particular seller, the buyer automatically receives a corresponding NFT that uses blockchain technlogy to verify authenticity and ownership.
It sounds like Cryptokicks also has plans for sneaker "breeding". The idea would be to create a sneaker featuring totally new designs.
https://twitter.com/zoescaman/status/1383377129732141057?s=20
The process will likely be slightly limited, because of regulations and shoe shapes. But mixing shoes, thanks to NFTs sound like it is what is coming next. Shoes ancestry will likely be traceable on the blockchain, all the way back to its origin.
More recently, Nike filed new trademark applications for NIKE, JUST DO IT and swoosh logo, to be used on “downloadable virtual goods, namely, computer programs featuring footwear, clothing, headwear, eyewear, bags, sports bags, backpacks, sports equipment, art toys, and accessories for use online and in online virtual worlds.”
https://twitter.com/JoshGerben/status/1455225423411953671?s=20
Those marks will also be used, according to the filing, on retail store services that incorporate virtual goods and NFTs. If Nike goes all the, the company could be diving into virtual clothing and accessories that could be downloaded and purchased online or at physical store locations.
The sneaker world is changing, and potentially creating a new market. Nike clearly has ambitious plans to impact the virtual and digital space in the near future.
Exciting times ahead!
