info on trademark as it relates to shoes
http://nortonlawcorp.com/can-i-trademark-it/trademark-a-shoe-design/
http://www.bw-iplaw.com/copyright-trademark-or-patent
“There is clearly overlap between trademarks, copyrights and design patents. Take, for example, a shoe. If used as a symbol of your business, the shoe design may be protected under trademark laws, while the ornamental design of the shoe may be protected through copyright laws as a work of art, and the placement of the straps, if new and unique, may be protectable under patent law. So, what should you do? It depends. But the most important thing to do is to present your design to an attorney and discuss your options. Then you will know the best route to take to protect your work.”