How a Shoe Design Patent Led to the Conviction of a Serial Killer

Between April 1984 and August 1985, an American serial killer Richard Ramirez, also known as the Night Stalker, terrorized San Francisco and the Greater Los Angeles area.  The Night Stalker mistakenly believed he left no trace behind, when in reality he left distinctive shoe prints in at least ten different crimes scenes.  A jury would eventually convict Richard Ramirez because American footwear company Avia patented the shoe sole design that caused the distinctive shoe prints.  This article examines how shoes are protected under patent law, some famous shoe patents, and how one of Avia’s design patents, U.S. Design Patent No. 274,574, led to the conviction of the Richard Ramirez.