in the news: Coach Sues Brown Shoe Co. for Naturalizer Ergo Knock-off

Coach is in the news once again involving a patent infringement, for another brand stealing one of their designs.
Last week Coach Inc. filed the suit against Brown Shoe Co. Inc., accusing the footwear firm of mirroring one of Coach’s handbag designs, the Ergo.
WWD is reports: “In a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan on May 29, Coach accuses the retailer of selling what is “virtually an exact copy” of its Ergo Pleat handbag in the Naturalizer chain of stores. Coach began selling the Ergo Pleat bag in 2007 and patented it in December 2008. Brown Shoe did not return a call seeking comment. Coach is seeking an injunction, profits it would have made and any profits Brown Shoe made off the patent as well as other unspecified damages.”
When I went to the Naturalizer home site I didn’t see the bag they were referring to in the lawsuit, however I did spot a couple styles that looked incredibly familiar to other designers. (to name a few – ysl, f+c, and more)
This entry was posted on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 12:30 am and is filed under Coach Handbags & Purses, Did u Know?, Handbags, Other Designer Handbags & Purses, Purse News, Replica & Inspired Handbags, Would u Wear This?. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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I’m glad they are sueing. I’m surprised they aren’t spending more effort in tackling the real issue – counterfeiters!
Can’t wait to hear the ruling.
Who? Why are they wasting their time going after nobody?
Anyone have a pic?
I wonder what the bag looked like. It had to be an exact copy for coach to waste their time like this.
This is kinda off topic, but I love the Ergo style!
Wow, they even have the YSL Downtown! hah
Well this is interesting news. Thanks for posting.
Why are they going after them? What about f21? Are they too big now or something?
Uh why not those who replicate their design? Seems like they the ones who be doin all that damage.
This is interesting. I think it’s odd thats all. Why go after Naturalizer? Why not counterfeters?
True! Aren’t the counterfeiters the real ‘evil’ ones whose profits
we’re told fund terrorists etc? Seems that’s the bigger enemy to fight
than other legit retailers. I guess it’s harder to get that guy in the
alley into court than Naturalizer.