Posts Tagged ‘ Infringement ’

Target & Coach Bags Separated at Birth? (perish the thought)

May 19th, 2010. By AbiK

Now I ask you, do these bags look the same? Do they resemble each other? Ok, maybe to both questions—particularly if you’re not in the market for such. But to those who shop handbags, these two bags are as far apart as Melanie Griffith and a natural look.

Never mind that. Coach took Target to task for being a copycat. Not for the bags shown here—those are just illustrative of similar-style bags—to the untrained eye, of course—each company offers (and, they sort of go with our color scheme at LawyersAndSettlements.com).

The design infringement lawsuit was filed last October when Coach got to feeling that Target (and supplier LF USA, owned by supplier-to-all in the industry Li & Fung) was selling handbags that were just a tad too similar in design to Coach bags themselves. Never mind that Target never had a prayer in h#ll of actually reproducing anything remotely Coach-like—according to the filing Target’s bags were “exact and/or confusingly similar reproductions of Coach’s Ergo designs and Signature Patchwork designs.”

Right.

Target customers would’ve confused the bags for possibly being…Coach bags?

A Coach-carrying member of the Town & Country set would now perhaps source her satchel at…Target?

Out of confusion?

I certainly understand the concept of infringement. And, I do realize that Target’s done wonders to bring design to the masses—at a nice price. But seriously.

So Coach Inc. and Target Corp. finally settled their knock-off lawsuit. The terms of the settlement are apparently confidential, but “amicable”—as these things always are…kiss-kiss—oh please—don’t even worry about it! you look fabulous!

Tags: Coach, handbags, Infringement, LF USA, Li & Fung, Target
Posted in Emerging Issues, Intellectual Property | No Comments »

Yes, I’m defending Paris Hilton

January 13th, 2010. By AbiK

I’ll say it again: Yes, I’m defending Paris Hilton.

Paris has been slapped with an infringement lawsuit over her Paris Hilton shoes’ insole cushion. They’re heart-shaped. And wouldn’t you know, Gwyneth Shoes has very similar insoles—so similar, in fact, that they claim Paris stole the idea!

Now, admittedly, I don’t have the inside scoop on where and how Paris’ biz team gets their ideas—though as with every celebrity product launch we continue to hear how “closely involved” or “hands on” Paris is in the “complete” design-manufacture-marketing process for her shoes. Yeah. Ok.

But, here’s where I’m coming from. First, you can buy heart-shaped insoles (see pic) from Foot Petals. Secondly, have you seen Gwyneth’s lineup of shoes? No? If you’ve seen Paris’ shoes, Jessica Simpson’s shoes, Steve Madden, Chinese Laundry, and even Payless, you’ve basically seen Gwyneth’s lineup. Note also, you won’t find Gwyneth on zappos.com, shoes.com or piperlime.com either.

So here’s my bet: Gwyneth saw an opportunity and took it. Think about it, I’d never write about or stop by Gwyneth shoes’ website if it hadn’t been for Paris Hilton. So unless something comes out in the wash here, I’m saying drop it. And Gwyneth can shoot Paris a thank-you email for the bump in their traffic number for January 2010 vs. prior month…year…all-time history…

I don’t find myself in Paris’ court too often, but on this one, yes, I’m defending Paris Hilton.

Tags: Infringement, Paris Hilton, Trademark Infringement
Posted in Intellectual Property | 4 Comments »