Lawsuit against Gap over copy allegations

Outdoor retailer Patagonia has filed a lawsuit against Gap Inc. for allegedly copying its iconic ‘flap pocket’. The US brand claims the design has been used on its fleece products for over three decades.

In a lawsuit filed in San Francisco federal court, Patagonia alleges that the Gaps fleece sweater bears striking similarities, with a similar rectangular logo above the flap pocket and contrast-colored piping along the collar, cuffs and waist.

Patagonia claims this isn’t the first time Gap has copied its designs and has issued a warning to the retailer, stating that the use of designs and logos that are even more similar cannot be accidental.

The trademark lawsuit, which was filed on Nov. 22, comes at a time when Gap has reduced its inventories and returned to profitability in the most recent quarter.

According to Reuters, Patagonia introduced its Snap-T sweater in 1985 and added the flap pocket four years later. The design has been featured in exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

In October, Patagonia filed a lawsuit against Walmart alleging the company copied its P-6 Trout logo and design on apparel items such as T-shirts.

This translated post previously appeared on FashionUnited.uk.

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