Lululemon vs. Peloton: The fine line between inspiration and imitation in fashion
BNN Bloomberg
The former fitness clothing partners are going head-to-head in U.S. courts.
To the untrained eye, U.S. Design Patent No. D709,668 is just a sports bra.
But the strappy undergarment is among six different design patents at the centre of a high-profile legal scuffle between athletic apparel retailer Lululemon Athletica Canada Inc. and exercise equipment company Peloton Interactive Inc.
The former fitness clothing partners are going head-to-head in U.S. courts, with Lululemon accusing Peloton of patent infringement over its new line of bras and leggings and Peloton brushing off the retailer's claims as baseless.
It's a case that shines a spotlight on the cutthroat realm of fashion and the fine line between inspiration and imitation.
It also highlights the challenges of proving design patent infringement in court -- especially with trendy and ubiquitous styles -- and the use of so-called forum shopping in legal fights.
Multiple lawyers suggested that while winning a patent infringement case is typicallyan uphill battle, Lululemon has a strong case with its allegation of unfair competition.
