How Bape Got Away With Copying Nike and WON | WTH

[@THECASUALco]

2023 Update: Obviously Nike has sued Bape since this video has been out HOWEVER it's important to understand that Nike has only sued Bape in the UNITED STATES. Bape can continue to sell Bapestas in Japan because the US laws don't apply in Japan. So before commenting please be mindful of the certain facts that require more than knee jerk reactions to titles of articles.

[@DarthUmbreon]

Great info, good to know!

[@vincej4320]

I remember my uncle bringing me back 2 pair of these when I was in middle school and EVERYONE made fun of me saying that I had "fake forces" on, and then they saw Nelly wear a pair on an award show. After they found out the price per pair, I was never made fun of about them again.

[@Venxm999]

Everyone wants to be popular for no reason

[@saiahbuul]

most respectable comment i read all day today

[@zainhector5590]

Your uncle got them from 28st NYC

[@justinjones143]

@@zainhector5590 lolol

[@AstroKidOne]

priceless 😆👍

[@zakariabouras3683]

First time I've seen the bapista I thought it was collab BAPE × NIKE

[@tvisionary9024]

Fr

[@kato4eins]

facts

[@fueg00nyxxx]

Same

[@sbthedon6677]

Until right now I thought it was

[@kalikatnis461]

@@sbthedon6677 same

[@Sebastian-j3go]

Do one on the history of rick owens dunks and the law suit from nike

[@kingmalik6332]

Ooh hell yeah

[@dannybackwoods3807]

That’s self explanatory

[@jaymusdonald2116]

Yes please

[@bastianalsoknownasagoddamn3647]

Rick Owens basically ripped a jordan 1 ripoff called Pro Jocks

[@marko2oo353]

rick owens aint no streetwear buddy

[@SneakerTalk]

This is so damn informative, ty for making this

[@THECASUALco]

We do what we can. ~Reggie

[@sherricruz7527]

SO INFORMATIVE! Here's some comedy for your observation kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4e8oqCvgqmnnpo

[@suipig8701]

fr

[@shinsa_lomboto]

promise me u wont check me out

[@john_67]

And short !

[@pamizy1275]

Is this how revenge x storm avoided legal problems with Vans?

[@THECASUALco]

Pretty much.

[@samuelchavez9888]

@2slumpy nah 💀

[@flowersofdecember]

@2slumpy no, a rapist made the shoe.

[@flowersofdecember]

2slumpy fucking 33 allegations💀 one of them is bound to be true and just bc noah designed them, vans are still a shit shoe and a knock off of a van is even worse

[@JDD1217]

sizho so you count random people on social media coming out saying “this person raped me” as an allegation lol? Cause that’s like what half of them are, if your going by that I can simply give you a rape allegation just by saying it on social media lmao, and get a few people to say the same thing making you have multiple, then one of thems gotta be true right?

[@mosmith3026]

In 2000 my friend in high school had the first pair I'd ever seen. At the time everyone had either black or white AF1. I copped a pair shortly after online. After that they were impossible to find for $120 which is what I paid. Still got them

[@Cellodaboss]

richard tuan that was in the 2000 it was probably way cheaper

[@Colt19]

richard tuan they actually went for 300 back then..

[@CalvinL.Stevens]

I'm from Germany and back in like 2006/2007 an American i knew had Bapestas. It was almost impossible to obtain these as a kid in my country. There was the Pondon Ebay store, also London had a flagship store, but they charged like 300 Euros for the cheapest. The whole brand used to be much more exclusive. I could buy some today, but fashion lost its appeal on me ultimately.

[@wiglybut]

Warren Lotas watching this video taking notes

[@VersatileRaps]

Lol

[@kenporter3278]

Lmao was looking for this comment

[@pasticcinideliziosi1259]

US: *makes things* China: *copies things* Japan: *improves things*

[@yashpandya5145]

Barack Rigoni the circle of life

[@dexyuxyux4121]

*applause

[@Fuckeddie]

Actually China makes both the original and the copy

[@dapperAaron]

The US just designs and create samples/prototypes/concepts. They outsource the final production. That's how they make their profit.

[@scocity6723]

Actually, China made probably next to everything you own. If you own something "nice", chances are it was made in Italy or maybe Germany. We don't make shit in America anymore. What do we make here in America? New Balances? The irony of your comment is that you'd be hard pressed to come across a pair of Nikes made in America in your lifetime. America designs things. But you can't even say that when it comes to shoes because Nike hasn't come up with a revolutionary shoe design in decades. Even Off White and Travis Scott just generate hype off of slightly redesigned Jordan and Nike shoe models that are 30-35+ years old.

[@stonepillowband]

Fun story. When I imported this to Spain in 2005/2006, customs guards never charge me as they thought they were a cheap Chinese fake. They called them the "Nike with the star" zLOL

[@Luhbrudda]

Back when I was in middle school in like 2008 and kid had Bapestas and got made fun of because everybody thought they were fake AF1's. I had no idea about clothes at the time but he definitely exposed me to Bape way back when.

[@kingjewelz9948]

Totally opposite for me in 2008 if you had bapes in school you was that dude the only we have to see if they was real or fake bapes

[@leonardomoran2946]

The Cell meme saying “that’s my Shit tho” made me subscribe. Please continue adding Dragon Ball Z cameos.

[@THECASUALco]

Of course.

[@EitherOrr]

Man, the first time i saw the bapestas i thought they we're just some AF 1 collabs

[@darwinpool8372]

What ! You know what kid robot is :(. Pharrell would wear them also nelly and Soulja boy had a song called I got me som bapes they been around

[@onibobo1629]

Bapesta's are still juicy. Aunt bought me a pair when I was in high school for my bday...peps said I was sporting a copy of the forces until they said celebs wearing them. Shut them up and then part way thru my 2nd year, many other students were clogging around in Bapestas.

[@xxxod]

Were yall rich or something. bapestas are NOT cheap

[@THEDOPEGAME]

The term “Uptown” only refers to white on white AF1 lows... Not the AF1 as a shoe in general.

[@jovannybates3756]

Nah ik thats cap bc Bronx niggas be saying "White Ups"

[@THEDOPEGAME]

Jovanny Bates Okay. In the meantime... Lets keep this convo among those who know what they are talking about 😉

[@jovannybates3756]

@@THEDOPEGAME you wild confident for someone thats wrong, its funny tho do ya Googles Mr. "Dope Game" lol.

[@fcfkevvmusic]

Lmaoooo if you’re not from NY, please stfu. #respectfully

[@fcfkevvmusic]

They’re called uptown’s because the sneaker got popular in “Harlem” uptown Manhattan. Jus a little history you @thedopegame

[@adalbertotrejo3183]

How you didn’t reference lil Wayne and Soulja boy wearing the bapestas

[@bennypaddycake7182]

@@Keithistall21 he's talking about the bapestas. not the brand

[@realjoshb]

I just wish I had enough money and sense to ride the wave back in the early 2000’s

[@artapples8417]

That was really interesting. I was always told that bape had got permission from nike

[@roryalexanderm]

You showing the current babepsta’s but talking bout the old ones like they the same thing 😫. Love the vid tho!

[@MakaOceania]

Exactly what I keep thinking lol

[@cassiechiedu]

The new bapestas are so ugly which upsets me because I’d actually want a pair

[@pejroyal9115]

Cassie Chiedu man the og looks so much better , I always second guess getting a pair.

[@Joshspencer21]

This really got to me too :( fully ruined the video

[@shinsa_lomboto]

promise me u wont check me out

[@paydayadray]

about that …

[@veeanon2238]

First pair I scene was on Chingy... the “right thurrr” dude. I saw them and was like I want them! But I didn’t know brands I was like 8 but the colors got me lol.

[@Retro403-]

Seen*

[@xdelite1622]

Digga d

[@mariejoel2765]

Can you make a vid about the impact that the fashion in the 2000s has today

[@joachimcleminson901]

Who else is watching this since Nike are now suing Bape

[@hiddenvoice27]

I’d say a lot of the early bapesta collabs are among the coolest sneaker collabs ever.

[@Yerinjibbang]

gotta agree on that

[@THECASUALco]

AH-DEE-DAHS. Get mad. Lol.

[@DHartwell1991]

I haven’t seen any videos on the Puma Sky Dreamer....

[@keezytv7854]

🤓

[@JayTechZM]

That's how I pronounce it too. Ah-dee-dis doesn't sit well with me

[@THECASUALco]

Right!?

[@taajmccain868]

😭

[@lazarorodriguez5161]

First things first I want to THANK YOU 🙏 for this video!! It took 15 years later for this subject to come to light so here we are! Quick story so I discovered Bape for the first time by reading a Maxim Magazine it was magazine that basically was sneakers, clothes women, watches etc in 2002/2003. I remember reading a small article on a Japanese shoe that looked like an Air Force 1 Camo but with la star and a lightening bolt. That same year in my junior year of HS 2003(I’m old 34 years old) I seen a music video on MTV(back when they actually played music videos!) by a guy I’ve seen in other videos before but this time he lost the muscle shirts and handle bar mustache and was shaved and looked hella Young. It was Mr. Pharrell Williams. In the music video Frontin myself and the world were introduced to BAPE N BBC. My eyes couldn’t believe the colors and designs. Then the following year I seen my classmate John with the same OG BBC Season 0 shirt but in White with Black Letters I asked him where he got it, he told me the infamous line of Hood dudes at the time Don’t worry about it, lol 😝 I’d beg him everyday like bro please tell me! He felt bad and said his boy got it for him from Japan. I fell in Love with BBC right there. You gotta remember everyone was doing over Size tees jerseys du rags n Jordan’s so this BAPE N BBC clothing was NEW AND REFRESHING!!! Now I seen Pharrell n N E R D in Maybe and She wants to Move music video they had on all the Fresh BBC n BAPE shit that wasn’t even released here in the U S. Only way to get it was in Japan 🇯🇵 or you had to have a connect. Now I’m 17 years old from Queens, NY with no money no job no connect to Japan 🇯🇵 shit not even a phone. Fast forward 2-3 years later in 2005 Nigo opens a store in Soho, NY. I’ve never been to the city and I didn’t even know where Soho or Prince Street was lol 😆!!!! So I begged my Uncle that was Driver for a Construction company at the time to take me and my best friend Jason Soto to the store location. Never forgot we got there when the store was closing around 5pm and I saw an employee with KISS designed BAPE logo and shiny colorful Bape Sneakers. I asked what time they opened and closed. Then I asked how much are the sneakers he said 500-600 dollars!!! I couldn’t believe my ears. In the article I read a few years earlier it said 150-300 yens which I thought was a misspelling of the US dollar. Nope!!! When Jason saw the turning table display of the Bape Sneakers in front of the store he said, this is it! These are the shoes you spoke about for 3 years, they look like Doctored up Air Force 1’s. It’s literally the same shoe just change the Check for a Star n Lightning Bolt throw mad colors and patent leather raise the price by 450 dollars more(at the time Air Force 1’s cost 70-80 dollars, yup that’s right!!!). And boom you have Bape! He told me that it looked like someone threw up a bag of skittles....lmao 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤦‍♂️! Love You J! My 19/20 year old self was like nah you buggin these are hard and FLY! For the next 5 years from 2005-2010 I would window shop or whenever I saved enough money I would buy a shirt or sweatshirt if I was lucky a jacket or a Hoodie that actually fit no XXXL or XXL or XL lol 😆. I knew Daniel, the big that always stood at the door, the girl with glasses that worked at Bape NY n Reed Space, I met Cudi few times there before he blew up. I remember the manager he was good guy he’d give me few stickers or some free shit cause I always there!!! Man, I miss those days! I lost contact with Jason HOPE he’s doing good! But yeah man he’d get a kick out of this video and tell He’d tell I TOLD YOU this was a RIP-OFF of Nike Air Force 1 Low. He’d say with the 500 you’d spend on 1 pair, you get 2 pairs of Air Ones n outfit food and still have money left. I was like nah I’ll take the 1 Pair, smh 🤦‍♂️ 😆 Thank You 🙏 for this Video Appreciate this video, Really Do! God Bless 😇🙏 -Lazaro

[@THECASUALco]

I want you to know. I read this whole story. It's a good one. Thanks for watching bruh. More to come.🤜🏽

[@lazarorodriguez5161]

@@THECASUALco No, THANK YOU 🙏 brought back a lot of memories!!! Appreciate this channel!! Can’t wait for the next video! ☮️ ❤️ 😇 🙏

[@sobosapparel]

“They copied my whole flow” - Soulja Boy vc 😂😂😂

[@GLiTcH_point]

I recently saw an ad, and I was shocked, telling myself this HAS to be a collab.

[@tonyordonez5570]

I bought my first pair of Bapestas at a gas station at 11pm in Riverside ca. Sounds sketchy but 250 for a bapesta was a steal

[@lucent2081]

probably reps

[@xfp_rezz1381]

Bape sta is hella clean. I love the color ways. Now don't get me wrong I'll wear my all white air forces when I want to look nice. But the bape stas are so fire

[@keezytv7854]

I understand you stated that Bape dodged the 20 year window but couldn’t they just renew that somehow? 🤔 super interesting if they didn’t

[@THECASUALco]

Can't renew a patent. That's the loophole

[@keezytv7854]

@@THECASUALco man thats so crazy. So then all these people remaking the AJ1 are in the clear maybe

[@FEDM93]

Keezy TV but only Fugazi quality 1s still good one close nike.

[@francoislechanceux5818]

@@THECASUALco A blessing for the chinese

[@sageisticc]

wait wait so then what about warren lotas? they recently got sued LMAO. idk. i think its the fact they're blatantly copying 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@maskatarian9072]

You know whats crazy... I always thought it was a brand collaboration haha.

[@TheMrFishnDucks]

Never knew about this. Thanks for this informative and entertaining video. Keep up the good work.

[@christovrea4273]

Just found your channel. Glad to see I have 4 years of content to catch up on! 👍

[@PlayThroughPain]

I always thought they were knock off uptowns especially me being from NY...I couldn't believe it when people started rocking them much less my own cousin lol...

[@belipe_belipe_belipe]

Please do a vid on the craftsmanship of Kapital!!! I found their techniques and tweaks that they use on denim, to be very very interesting. Thank you, much respect Reggie

[@snottyrafael9579]

this aged badly 😭

[@amaechieneh5301]

I've actually always wondered about this. Also, first!

[@Jeffreynelius]

Been needing some new BAPE/NIGO content, thank you. 🙏

[@queenmisanthrope]

Can you talk about PPFM the Seditionaries, it’s hard to find info on them. Great video as usual.

[@NikeZaidi-it7lo]

This man is legit. Better journalism than big corp. News places.

[@captainkickazz360]

Always wanted a pair

[@steezgawdextraswa6906]

captainkickazz360 same

[@gregorycarter7793]

The first celebrity I seen wearing bape was Cassidy in the come to my hotel video

[@cistianbenitez2231]

I think that Another reason why Nike never put charges on them is because you can't buy these choose without thinking of nike as its original concept. This means free marketing and advertising for NIKE.

[@prod.gregupnext2958]

Smart

[@TheCuttyBrown]

Yall remember them see thru joints, that fog up when ya foot get sweaty 😄 🤣

[@FoolisH409]

I swear!

[@rippleman3819]

Ayooooooo on my soul 😂💯

[@btsdancestudio5691]

I don't need to go to copy-right law school as a artist and designer! This is a great lesson in the law. Its just like Disney and the adaptation of famous fictional characters and stories. Monte-Cristo story of revenge plot cannot be sued.! Its run out of copy-rights years ago! Thanks!

[@bynwinnin]

I hate that most of the b roll is the new silhouette. I’m glad you mentioned it briefly, but a side by side would’ve been nice for the uninformed out there. Not enough ppl talk about that, the old ones and new ones are different shoes to me

[@shrimpeedo1]

I love when smaller brands are able to take a fashion staple and build off the original concept to make something unique. There's a fine line between inspiration and theft, designers like Nigo, Rick Owens, Ari Forman, and Warren Lotas were able to successfully take Nike's designs and spin them to fit their own brand image which imo is the difference between a wearable art piece and a fake.

[@Kiuuuj]

Bape aren't fakes but they are definitely a Nike copy. Look at the Bape Travis Scott's 😂😂 literally a copy of Nike's collab with Travis. At the same time they have different colorways that they have created on their own just like the Kanye West Bapes which have the build as a Nike Air force 1

[@Floridaboifletch]

Bought me a pair of bapes in Miami in 06… never got any hate.

[@Snicfresh]

Smart business move, always consult a lawyer before copying someone.

[@Aqwtiny]

Anyone here after the cease and desist on Warren Lotas?

[@whitespacecollective95]

Respect for using the term "Uptown". AF1's will forever be Uptowns, not forces, not air forces, etc. UPTOWNS!

[@scriptbussin3819]

This guy got back from a marathon right before filming that intro

[@arobotnamedbernard]

this aged like milk

[@deedwayne2752]

Pharrell Williams was the influence of Bape back in the early 2000

[@nene.x1433]

always thought it was a collab lmao

[@CITYSCAPE333]

People call UA fake but some how Bape and The Shoe Surgeon sneakers are real ok there champ .

[@18aplateindoors]

Bro!!! Everytime someone talks about fakes i bring this exact shit up..its just a facade in the world real vs fake is dumb as hell im not out here tryna impress dudes and 99.9% of chicks dont know and dont care

[@Maxx995]

Stop UA is Fake. Shoe surgeon has been co signed by Nike before and bape is bape

[@lilyungtoaster1304]

They aren't claiming to be a Nike shoe...

[@18aplateindoors]

Maxx's World ao what nike didnt make it in their factory so according to shoe standards it is considered fake u caint argue that

[@18aplateindoors]

Lil Yung Toaster but there are..so customs arent fakes?

[@staygold5123]

Love AF1 and Bapesta, want a pair of BAPE sta’s, but they hard to get and too expensive.

[@shinji9816]

lmao i thought it was a collab

[@stephen-john1677]

Interesting 🤔, I always liked the concept, prefer the non plastic materials though. 😂😭Still casually waiting on the Verdy video

[@SlingDingerr]

I never hear of them being called uptown’s I heard forces,ones, gfazos, cocaines but not uptown’s

[@antoniogiles589]

New York

[@akrazie]

Funny how I start wondering about this issue and this video was post on my birthday

[@bryn_73]

Why didn’t ARI win:( i rlly want to own one of the menthol 10’s

[@TheGamingDistrict1]

Ari’s problem wasn’t really Nike. It was Newport and the cigarette companies. They’re the ones that legally attacked him to no end. Nike then issued a cease and desist

[@bscarter100]

I’ve been wondering this for years thanks bro

[@klewis564]

Nike use to take Japanese shoes and change the logo so they wasn’t trippin until they almost got trumped

[@tonyp2572]

“AhhhDeeDahs” or Adidas !

[@crisbolts6011]

He said “that’s how you do A copy RIGHT” 🤣🤣

[@swaynewelch2720]

So hard to get bapes ever time I try to get them they sold out my size 😞😢I need the plug!

[@splendrouspropscosplay4249]

Reggie, and also how Virgil got away with copying Jordan Ones with the 408 Trainers

[@ScikkTV]

I was wearing APE BACK IN 05 06 when everyone thought it was ugly

[@claporbez1618]

he sounds like stewie every time he says bapesta

[@DJM.I.A.]

Remember the "see throgh" bapes and AF1s?

[@rnetkidd9765]

used to call em japanese forces back in middle school i had a few pair now i try to buy every drop of bapestas i still love them

[@TIMMIELOVELAND]

Also it’s a mix between the Air Force 1, Air Jordan 1, and Dunk all lows

[@paco680]

I understand that they were made for Japan only, but I still believe that it's a copy paste of AF1S and from what I've heard today even the materials are worse than those on the AF1S

[@demetriusbryson1706]

Thanks For the Knowledge & Information...!!! I learned a great deal...!!!

[@hughallen8754]

Lil Wayne hustler Musik video put me on to these and then young Jezzy with Jamaican colour way

[@marcelocoria90]

Bapestas have so much variety in colorways. Nike is too lazy, and sometimes fixate on hard to rock colorways

[@MrSoup2223]

the thumbnail isn’t even the foot soldier 001 smh 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@wherestheblackloyalty9450]

What we need is more Black Loyalty ! You've Never Seen Kicks Like These ! Black Loyalty Kicks

[@dcta51]

I think people respected them cuz it's sort of like a song cover or sample like when Kanye West samples and covers an old song and makes it feel new again.

[@mageshnatarajan3666]

What about the Ari Menthol 10s tho??

[@josie2768]

I have the original Air force ones but now I'm going to buy the bape forces

[@NUMBSKULLEDOUT]

AF-1 had shiny leather in the 90's. Had a couple pairs when i was in middle school... Good vid tho

[@richn9210]

They where fake bruh 😂

[@NUMBSKULLEDOUT]

@@richn9210 Naw youngin... They were straight out of Foot Locker. Get your facts straight and look it up.

[@regggief]

I own pairs in high school an the models and shapes were definitely different from uptown's but that was in the 2000s.

[@preinfinity]

good video but the lighting is weird when you turn your head down and your cap covers your eyes with a shadow

[@London.Bridgez]

Copped a pair off 25 Canal St. New York lol along with a knock off Rolex. Mom dukes bought them on a trip to NY when I was 9 lol.

[@junito1008]

This video has some wrong info !! Utility patents are protected for 20yrs but Design patents are protected for 14-15yrs. In this case, we’re talking about design patent so Bape could’ve launched the sneaker on 1997.

[@alphapapa4446]

I’m just here after the whole John Geiger situation and trying to see how Bape was able to copy the design

[@CharBuilds]

Lol what’s that other shoe with the lightning bolt on the side it’s over for them soon too lol

[@victorarreola]

I remember these ...everyone and their mother wanted a pair ...I stuck to AF1

[@rawsanity27]

Only Bapestas I want @ the moment is the Silver Surfer Bapesta. It's super rare though.

[@KeemaChiles]

That explains why there are so many brands that have shoes that looks like chucks

[@THECASUALco]

That’s exactly right.

[@xavierjones_xci]

Nike had Patent Air Force 1’s way before the Bapesta. Sheed even wore multiple Patent Leather AF1’s in the 1999.

[@THECASUALco]

That's the whole point of the video. Nike patented the AF1s in 1982, patents only last 20 years, and then Bape debuts the Bapesta in 2002.

[@xavierjones_xci]

THE CASUAL Correct! I meant the use of “Patent Leather”. Nike had used Patent Leather on a variety 80’s / 90’s basketball silhouettes, well before the popularity of the colorful Bapesta era in the mid 2000’s. I will agree with you that the popularity of Bapesta’s increased the amount of “Patent Leather” AF1’s as it become trendy during that time. I apologize for the confusion.

[@THECASUALco]

Oh damn. My bad bruh. Crossed wires for sure. No harm no foul. My apologies on the retort

[@YaBoiGotThatSauce]

the black and white bapesta will always go hard, idc what people say

[@nobathan]

ngl bapestas look better than af1s

[@Gio-qd4no]

yea they way better quality too

[@omegajackz00]

Bape Sta Sk8 and those 93 Hi's 😮‍💨

[@bernerphne7953]

the orginal bapestas had the orginal air force silhouette 😍. New shits look ugly on foot

[@Maze420]

true

[@ppkiller6665]

airforces came out 40 years ago...Crazy

[@danielmangelo]

Interesting topic, but how did rick get the C&D when he released the dunk in fw06 and the nike dunks from 1985 if anyone has an answer that would be cool

[@THECASUALco]

The issue with the rick dunks was that the stitching on the side looked like the Nike "swoosh" logo. It would have been easy for a novice to get mixed up and believe they were straight up nike. The laws for logo are INCREDIBLY strict and most of the time the companies can put those C&Ds out without much issue from the designer who "copied".