LOS ANGELES — A luxury clothing company is suing fashion companies, alleging trademark infringement and unfair competition.
Michael Kors LLC filed a complaint Feb. 5 in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against Lauren Handbag Inc. JYC Trading Inc, CASA Kevin, Youngster Handbags, and Does 1-10, alleging federal trade dress infringement.
According to the complaint, in 2003, Michael Kors' MK common law trademark was first used in interstate commerce and is inherently distinctive and exclusively owned and used by plaintiff. Michael Kors alleges it recently discovered the defendants' MK designs also bear the confusingly similar MK to the plaintiff's MK trade dress and MK common law trademark.
The lawsuit states the defendants have copied the trademark in an effort to exploit Michael Kors' reputation in the market. The plaintiff alleges the defendants illegally used the MK trade dress without Michael Kors’ permission or authority and in total disregard of Michael Kors' rights to control its intellectual property.
Michael Kors seeks trial by jury, all applicable interest, costs, disbursements and attorney fees, punitive damages and all other just relief. They are represented by attorneys Brent H. Blakely and Jessica C. Covington of Blakely Law Group in Manhattan Beach.
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California case number 2:18-cv-00917-VAP-AFM