In a post dated Aug. 20, the company said that "in order to avoid legal issues surrounding the Ugg trademark abroad, we label our products leaving Australia or New Zealand with our Since 74 logo." ...

The American brand Ugg was founded in 1978, four years after Ugg Since 1974, but was acquired by Deckers Outdoor Corporation in 1995 for $14.6 million, propelling it to become a global brand.

Australian surfer Brian Smith conceived of the UGG brand back in 1978, when the pairs of sheepskin boots he brought with him on a visit to California were snapped up by admiring beach bums.