Coach Sues Jo-Ann Fabrics for Trademark Infringement
Looks like the "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" excuse isn't cutting it anymore.
Coach Inc. has filed a lawsuit against Jo-Ann Fabrics claiming the company infringed upon its Signature C logo, WWD reports.
The lawsuit—which also names subsidiary brand Craft Stores and the Feldman Co. Inc.—alleges that a Blizzard Fleece "OO Geo" fabric sold by the Hudson, Ohio-based store features a logo of elongated Os that Coach says is too similar to its own trademarked logo, causing "customer confusion."
Coach, which first complained of the logo issue in February, is seeking an injunction as well as $2 million in statutory damages (per counterfeit mark, per type of counterfeit good), punitive damages, and attorneys' fees.
Filed in the Northern District of Illinois, due to disputed fabrics found in Jo-Ann's Chicago-area stores, the lawsuit also includes charges of trade dress and copyright infringement, trademark counterfeiting, false designation of origin, false advertising, and trademark dilution.
The "OO Geo" fabric appears to have been removed from Jo-Ann's Web site. But is it too little too late? Stay tuned.
Get the full story from WWD.
Meanwhile, did Target copy Proenza Schouler's PS1 bag?
