Lululemon is claiming Costco is promoting knockoffs of its leggings, in accordance with a lawsuit the corporate filed towards the favored warehouse chain.
Within the 49-page lawsuit, which was filed within the U.S. District Courtroom for the Central District of California, Lululemon alleges that Costco is promoting “knockoff, infringing variations” of its garments. Lululemon leggings can run over $80 for a pair of yoga pants, whereas Costco’s are nearer to $20.
Lululemon says Costco permits its prospects to consider that its Kirkland leggings, amongst different merchandise, are made by the identical producer as Lululemon, and due to this fact “unlawfully traded” on its “status, goodwill and sweat fairness.”
Rumors that Costco-sold objects are made by the identical producer as Lululemon have been circulating on-line and on social media for years. Viral TikToks highlighting the offers have apparently not gone unnoticed by Lululemon.
@ashleyaiya Lululemon outline jacket dupe at Costco #lululemon #bbljacket #garments #outfit #fyp ♬ authentic sound – ?
“Certainly, one of many functions of promoting ‘dupes’ is to confuse shoppers on the point-of-sale and/or observers post-sale into believing that the ‘dupes’ are Plaintiffs’ genuine merchandise when they don’t seem to be,” the lawsuit alleges, per CBS.
Lululemon particulars the similarities in design — and the dissimilarities in worth — within the lawsuit. For instance, Lululemon’s Scuba hoodie sells for $118; Costco’s model is round $19. The lawsuit claims a number of Costco-sold merchandise are knockoffs, together with the Danskin Girls Half-Zip Hoodie; the Jockey Girls Yoga Jacket; Spyder Girls’s Yoga Jacket; Hello-Tec Males’s Scuba Full Zip; and Kirkland 5 Pocket Efficiency Pant.
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“As an innovation-led firm that invests considerably within the analysis, growth, and design of our merchandise, we take the duty of defending and implementing our mental property rights very severely and pursue the suitable authorized motion when mandatory,” a Lululemon firm spokesperson mentioned in a press release, per the AP.
Costco has not but commented, per ABC Information and CBS.