Company Accuses Nike Of Sneaky Sneaker Act

PASADENA, Calif.

The sneakers Steve Martin sells in his new movie have become embroiled in a court battle between a small California sportswear maker and Nike Inc.

Sideout Sport Inc. of Pasadena has asked a federal judge to hold Nike in contempt for paying Walt Disney Co. a fee to use its Side 1 brand of sneakers in the comedy "The Father of the Bride."

In the movie, Martin runs a shoe company called Side Kick. The fictional shoes are actually the Side 1 brand, the suit alleges.

The motion is part of a federal court suit in which Sideout claims Nike pirated its logo to make its Side 1 brand of exercise shoes, clothes and accessories.

Neither Martin nor Disney is a target of the suit.