Ecko licensee files for bankruptcy protection

NEW YORK (AP) — The former licensee for clothing maker Ecko Unltd. is seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, according to court filings.

MEE Apparel and Mee Direct, which sell clothing under the brand names Ecko Unltd. and Unltd., say they have about $30 million in assets and $62 million in debt. They say sales and profitability have been declining since the start of 2009 because of the recession and changes in fashion trends. They made the filing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey Wednesday.