Item 3. Legal Proceedings

As part of our global policing program to protect our intellectual property rights, from time to time, we file lawsuits in various jurisdictions asserting claims for alleged acts of trademark counterfeiting, trademark infringement, patent infringement, trade dress infringement, and trademark dilution. We generally have multiple actions such as these pending at any given point in time. These actions may result in seizure of counterfeit merchandise, out of court settlements with defendants, or other outcomes. In addition, from time to time, we are subject to claims in which opposing parties will raise, either as affirmative defenses or as counterclaims, the invalidity or unenforceability of certain of our intellectual property rights, including allegations that the UGG brand trademark registrations and design patents are invalid or unenforceable. Furthermore, we are aware of many instances throughout the world in which a third-party is using our UGG trademarks within its internet domain name, and we have discovered and are investigating several manufacturers and distributors of counterfeit UGG brand products.

On March 28, 2016, we filed a lawsuit alleging trademark infringement, patent infringement, unfair competition and violation of deceptive trade practices in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division against Australian Leather. In response, Australian Leather raised a number of affirmative defenses and counterclaims, including seeking declaratory judgment that the UGG brand trademark is invalid and unenforceable in the US, cancellation of certain of our US UGG brand trademark registrations, false designation of origin and declaratory judgment that certain of our US design patents are invalid and unenforceable. While we believe there is no legal basis for liability, a judgment invalidating the UGG brand trademark would have a material adverse effect on our business. On May 10, 2019, a jury ruled in our favor in our lawsuit against Australian Leather. On December 19, 2019, the court denied Australian Leather’s affirmative defenses. Although final judgment was entered February 6, 2020, the court's rulings are subject to appeal.

Although we are subject to legal proceedings and other disputes from time to time in the ordinary course of business, including employment, intellectual property, and product liability claims, we believe the outcome of all pending legal proceedings and other disputes in the aggregate will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows. However, regardless of the outcome, resolving legal proceedings and other disputes can have an adverse impact on us because of legal costs, diversion of management's time and resources, and other factors.

PART II

References within this Annual Report to “Deckers,” “we,” “our,” “us,” or the “Company” refer to Deckers Outdoor Corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries. UGG® (UGG), HOKA One One® (HOKA), Teva® (Teva), Sanuk® (Sanuk), Koolaburra® (Koolaburra), and UGGpure® (UGGpure) are some of our trademarks. Other trademarks or trade names appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, the trademarks and trade names within this Annual Report are referred to without the ® and™ symbols, but such references should not be construed as any indicator that their respective owners will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, their rights thereto.

Certain reclassifications were made for all prior periods presented including the fiscal years ended March 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016, to conform to the current period presentation.

Unless otherwise specifically indicated, all dollar amounts in Items 5, 6, 7, and 7A herein are expressed in thousands, except for per share data. The defined periods for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 are stated herein as “year ended” or “years ended.”