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Ugg boots are a popular style of sheepskin boot, but their origin is often debated. The term ugg is a generic term in Australia and New Zealand, used to describe sheepskin boots lined with fleece. Despite the 'Ugg Australia' branding, Ugg boots are not always made in Australia. In fact, the majority of Ugg boots (about 96%) are made in Asia, including China, Vietnam, and the Philippines. However, there are still some Australian companies that manufacture and sell Ugg boots made in Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Australia, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines |
| Manufacturing | Handcrafted, mass-produced |
| Materials | Sheepskin |
| Company | Deckers Outdoor Corporation, UGG Since 1974, UGG Australia |
| Trademark | "UGG" is a trademarked term owned by Deckers outside of Australia |
| Label | "Made in Australia" or "Made in China" |
| Price | Fluctuates based on currency |
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What You'll Learn
Ugg Australia is a US company
Ugg Australia is a brand owned by Deckers Outdoor Corporation, a company based in California, United States. The company manufactures Ugg-labelled boots and slippers in China and exports them to hundreds of countries worldwide.
The origin of Ugg boots can be traced back to Australian surfer culture, and they were introduced to California in the 1970s, where they gained popularity. The term "ugg" is a generic term in Australia and New Zealand, used to describe sheepskin boots lined with fleece. However, Deckers Outdoor Corporation has trademarked the term "Ugg Australia" and holds the copyright for the Ugg brand everywhere except Australia.
In 2004, Deckers threatened legal action against several Australian sheepskin manufacturers over their use of the term "ugg". The company claimed that it had spent millions of dollars marketing the term and that Australian manufacturers and retailers were misleading consumers by using it. In response, the Australian Sheepskin Association (ASA) presented evidence that "ugg" is a generic term in Australia, with references dating back to World War I. Despite this, Deckers has continued to assert its rights over the Ugg brand outside of Australia.
It is important to note that there are Australian companies that manufacture and sell genuine Ugg boots made in Australia. These companies take pride in their Australian heritage and the quality of their products, which are crafted from real sheepskin. To identify if a pair of Ugg boots is made in Australia, consumers can look for a sew-in label that states "Made in Australia".
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96% of Ugg boots are made in Asia
It is a common misconception that all Ugg boots are made in Australia. In reality, 96% of Ugg boots are made in Asia, specifically in countries such as China, Vietnam, and the Philippines. This means that only a small percentage of Ugg boots are actually manufactured in Australia.
The origin of Ugg boots can be traced back to Australian surfer culture, and they were introduced to California in the 1970s, gaining popularity and spreading across the globe. However, the mass production and export of Ugg boots to hundreds of countries worldwide are primarily facilitated by China.
The term "Ugg" is a generic term in Australia and New Zealand, used to describe sheepskin boots lined with fleece. Australian manufacturers have been producing sheepskin boots, commonly referred to as Ugg boots, for decades. These companies take pride in their Australian heritage and the quality of their products, using real sheepskin and craftsmanship in the creation of their boots.
Despite the "Ugg Australia" branding, Deckers' Ugg boots and slippers are not made in Australia. Deckers Outdoor Corporation, a US company, owns the Ugg Australia brand and manufactures its boots in China. This has led to legal disputes, with Deckers threatening Australian sheepskin manufacturers over their use of the term "Ugg."
To ensure you are purchasing Australian-made Ugg boots, look for a sew-in label that states 'Made in Australia'. This label indicates that you have purchased a pair of genuine Australian-made Ugg boots. Australian manufacturers typically display the place of origin of their products proudly, so if a label is missing, it may have been removed or tampered with.
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Deckers Outdoor Corporation owns the Ugg copyright outside Australia
In 1995, Deckers Outdoor Corporation, a US company, bought the Ugg brand name from Australian entrepreneur Brian Smith, who had registered the name as a brand in the 1980s. Deckers then trademarked "Ugg Australia".
However, in Australia, "ugg" is a generic term for sheepskin boots, which have been a staple in Australian culture for decades. The term is commonly used in Australia and New Zealand to refer to sheepskin boots lined with fleece. The Australian Sheepskin Association (ASA) found evidence of this generic use of the term dating back to World War I, with thousands of references in newspapers, magazines, and telephone directories in Australia, the US, and the UK.
Despite this, Deckers Outdoor Corporation owns the Ugg trademark in more than 130 countries, including the EU, outside of Australia and New Zealand. This has caused confusion among consumers, who associate the term "ugg" with the Australian product, and has led to legal battles with Australian companies that use the term "ugg" in their branding.
For example, in 2004, Deckers threatened to take legal action against several Australian sheepskin manufacturers for their use of the term "ugg". In 2025, an Australian ugg-boot company, Ugg Since 1974, was forced to rebrand as Since 1974 for customers outside Australia and New Zealand due to a lawsuit from Deckers.
Deckers has been criticised for suing smaller, family-owned Australian businesses and trying to stop Australians from using the term "ugg", which is an important part of their cultural heritage.
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'Ugg' is a generic term for sheepskin boots in Australia
The term "Ugg" is a generic term for sheepskin boots in Australia. The origin of the term "Ugg" is unclear, but it is believed to have been used as early as World War I to describe "fug boots" worn by Royal Air Force pilots. In the 1970s, the term "Ugg" became popular in Australia as a generic description of flat-heeled, pull-on sheepskin boots that gained popularity among surfers. This generic term was used interchangeably with variations such as "Ug" and "Ugh".
Despite the "Ugg Australia" branding, many Ugg boots are mass-produced in China and exported worldwide. This has led to confusion among consumers, who associate the "Ugg Australia" brand with authentic Australian-made Uggs. In reality, only about 4% of Ugg boots are made in Australia, while the majority (about 96%) are manufactured in Asia, including China, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
The dispute over the term "Ugg" has a long history. In 1971, Stedman registered the trademark "UGH-BOOTS" in Australia, and in 1982, they registered the "UGH" trademark. However, Frank Mortel claimed that he named his company's sheepskin boots "ugg boots" in 1958 after his wife commented that they were "ugly." The Macquarie Dictionary of the Australian language first included a definition for "ugg boot" as a generic term for sheepskin boots in its 1981 edition.
In 2004, the Decker Outdoor Corporation, which owns the "Ugg Australia" brand, threatened legal action against Australian sheepskin manufacturers for their use of the term "Ugg." This sparked a debate over the generic nature of the term in Australia. The Australian Sheepskin Association (ASA) presented evidence of the term's generic use, including references in newspapers, magazines, and telephone directories dating back decades. In 2005, Uggs-N-Rugs, a member of the ASA, won the right to use the term "Ugg boot/s" and variations within Australia.
It is important to note that Australia and New Zealand are among the few places that can freely use the term "Ugg" generically to describe sheepskin boots. This highlights the cultural significance of these boots in Australian and New Zealander culture.
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Ugg Australia boots are made in China
The origin of ugg boots can be traced back to Australian surfer culture, and they gained popularity in California in the 1970s. However, the majority of ugg boots sold globally (about 96%) are made in Asia, including China, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
It is important to note that Australia and New Zealand are two of the few places that can freely use the term "uggs". The term “ugg” is considered generic in these countries and is used to describe sheepskin boots lined with fleece.
When purchasing Ugg boots, checking the sew-in label can help determine their authenticity and country of origin. If the label says "Made in Australia," the boots are genuine Australian-made Ugg boots. However, if the label indicates a different country, such as China, Vietnam, or the Philippines, the boots were not made in Australia.
Some consumers have expressed disappointment upon discovering that their Ugg Australia boots were made in China, assuming that the branding implied an Australian origin. It is essential for buyers to be aware of the country of origin and the potential differences in quality and craftsmanship between Ugg boots made in Australia and those made in other countries.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the majority of UGGs are made in China.
No, UGG Australia is a US corporation that manufactures UGGs in China.
Yes, there are some companies that manufacture UGGs in Australia, such as UGG Since 1974 and Australian UGG Original.
UGG Australia, the US company that owns the UGG copyright outside of Australia, manufactures its UGGs in China to increase its profits.
