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Couture in Court 7Counterfeit Chic

For those who prefer briefs to boxers, a periodic collection of fashionable events in the judicial system:

• Capsized: New Era challenges Mike23
• Nike also objects to Mike
• Closeup look at a "tribute brand"
• Hot Pink: Victoria's Secret objects to Intertex's Pinkish
• Oh Baby: Phat Fashion sues Victoria's Secret in trademark dispute
• Naughty Knickers in a twist: Spanx smacks rival Spank brand
• Space invader: Smartwool aims to shoot down Smart Wool
• Dogg muzzled after biting Wrangler
• College daze: Juicy Couture puts the squeeze on Juicy Campus
• Think mink: TTABlog scopes out the Mink Bikini decision
• Double down: Appeals court rules against Ralph Lauren in U.S. Polo Association case
• Flashback: Polo/Lauren prevails over Berkshire Polo Club in Europe

• Ultimate challenge: Pro wrestler Warrior escapes game maker's motion to dismiss
• Toy story: Oakley sues Marvel over knockoff sunglasses in Fantastic 4 gift pack
• Their adidas: 43(b) unpacks the Payless trade dress case
• Ten percenter: Agent wins award in Stein Mart licensing case
• Breach of faith: Hampshire Group files fiduciary duty claims against corporate officers
• Whacked: Viva la Mob hit with TRO
• Globalization: Jibbitz takes on Chinese distributor of fake Crocs adornments
• Shot down: Hunt Hard takes aim at Huntin' Hard
• Green-eyed monster: Nike vs. Envy the Look
• The best names are taken: Nike trips up bestnameshoes.com
• Tough cookie: Neiman Marcus puts heat on cybersquatter
• Name game: Pin seller sued for naming corporation after web business she sold
• Pantsed: Mervyn's accused of copying Paige Premium Denim's stitch designs
• Drunk with success: Bape kicked for copying Heineken star on sneakers
• Bad wolf: Rocky busts former employee for producing knockoff boots in China
• Burned: Itex sues uniform companies for infringing on patented flame retardant cotton
• Delinquents: Mr. Men and Little Miss take Little Losers to the woodshed
• Square pegged: Zents disputes Lather's square mark claim
• Unsustainable? Sansegal lays claim to "Green" branding
• Royal pain: Nautica faces claim of copying crest
• Alpha and omega: Zovo takes on Zova LA
• Unkind cut: Zegna takes shears to seller of "cut-rate" Zegna fakes
• Not pussycats: Tuni spanks Spencer Gifts for copying "Don't ya wish your mommy was hot like mine?" merch
• O no: Oscar sues Fashion House for infringement after alleged default
• Doctor doctor: Landau seeks to scrub counterfeit scrubs
• Turnabout: Heelys sued for copying Four-Button trademark for child-safety shoes
• Pimpin' ain't easy: Chanel, Gucci drop a dime on pimpfabric.com
• Melting: Chanel puts heat on Italian Ice
• Mirabile dictu: Wonderfauxhandbags.com cites name as defense to counterfeit charge
• Chanel vs. Wonderfauxhandbags.com
• Up against the wall:  Walocaust and Wal-Qaeda found to be protected parodies

In court, the beauty biz can get ugly:

• Cover-up: Distributor seeks to shut down inquiry into Bare Escentuals grey market goods
• Spice world: Clash of duelling Posh salons
• Drawing the tan line: Bronzy Babe vs. Bronzed Babe
• Tough scrape: Bella Bella sues over alleged infringement of microdermabrasion patent
• Northern exposure: Xtreme Lashes sues trainee for appropriating mark in Canada
• Bottled up: Bath & Body Works sues over container trade dress
• It stinks: France perfume pros denounce court's refusal to prohit comparison charts

All that glitters may not be gold:

• Home invasion: QVC accuses HSN of infringing on Gem Fest
• Protect us, o law: Jeweled Cross files suit over patron saint key chain
• Loan arranger: Credit scheme leads to jail time for jeweler's CEO
• No kiss for Kay: Jewelry company sued for employment discrimination
• Canales street: Couple sued for selling fake Rolex watches
• Heartless: Jewelry company accused of copying Mother and Child design
• Unfair trade: Janel Russell sues Fair Indigo
• Watch out: Cartier sues Lux Lux for infringing watch design patent, trade dress
• Fallen angel: Van Cleef & Arpels takes wing against another Alhambra copyist
• Sexy naughty copy: Knockoff "harem chain" sparks lawsuit against eBay store
• Just so story: Chanel takes aim at justjewel.com

And maybe it's all the printed flowers springing up this season, but textile manufacturers seem particularly allergic to copyright infringement:

• When the Joneses can't keep up: Major Textile sues Jones Apparel
• LA confidential: Guarisco sues Century 21, Los Angeles shops for selling knockoff prints
• Surprise surprise: Another Guarisco lawsuit against Forever 21 over textile design
• Strike one: Star Fabrics takes swing at Uno, Ross
• Eye of the tiger: Designer accuses company of stealing Fleur de Tigre print
• Poor Self Esteem: Major Textile sues company for copying fabric pattern
• LA Printex sues Dillards over fabric prints
• Ditto: LA Printex sues Ross Stores
• Culprit: Morgan Fabrics accused of copying textile design
• Street fight: Unicolors sues Rue21 over fabric print
• Shadow boxing: Unicolors challenges Silhouette Clothing design
• Flower power: Star Fabrics plucks Golden Bell
• The one and the many: United Fabrics sues TJ Maxx, Macy's and other sellers of similar design
• Los Angeles galaxy: Star Fabrics takes on American Apparel

Finally, the most frequently mentioned "couture in court" over the past week was probably not the subject of a lawsuit, but the outfit worn by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling as the plaintiff and star witness in a copyright action.  The New York Times described her ensemble unusually as a "black dress and pinstriped suit," the New York Post as a brown pinstriped suit accessorized with a charm bracelet of the author's own literary characters, and Portfolio.com as a "simple grey pinstripe suit."  Maybe it's a trick of the light, or maybe Ms. Rowling has cast a confundus charm on the assembled reporters.  But if the evidence in the case is this conflicting, it's no wonder the judge has suggested that the parties settle. 

Thanks to Amal Bouhabib for noticing the fashion law reportage!

Full post as published by IP Law Daily on April 17, 2008 (boomark / email).