Forever 21 squares off against copycats
Fashion retailer Forever 21 has taken aim at two copycats in an infringement claim brought earlier this week.
Filed on Monday, January 23 at the US District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division, the lawsuit claimed that C Luce (doing business as TCEC) and Cornerstone Apparel (which does business as Papaya) had designed and sold clothes that infringed Forever 21’s copyright.
The retailer alleged that the companies had infringed US copyright number VAu 1-143-889, a pattern that features on harem pants sold by Forever 21.
According to the suit, TCEC and Papaya had “intentionally and wilfully” applied the infringing designs to clothing and used them in advertising materials.
“Particularly in light of the success of Forever 21 and Forever 21’s clothing, as well as the reputation Forever 21 has gained, Forever 21 and its products have become targets for unscrupulous individuals and entities who wish to unlawfully imitate Forever 21’s copyrighted styles and designs,” said the claim.
The retailer also claimed that the defendants had committed contributory infringement by inducing and profiting from the copying and selling of infringing garments and fabrics by unnamed defendants.
Forever 21 is seeking injunctive relief, an award of profits, punitive damages, a return of the defendants’ “ill-gotten gains”, destruction of the infringing goods, a jury trial and attorneys’ fees.
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