Levi's Turns to Suing Its Rivals

The New York Times

By MICHAEL BARBARO and JULIE CRESWELL
Published: January 29, 2007
United States Patent and Trademark No. 1,139,254 is not much to look at: a pentagon surrounding a childlike drawing of a seagull in flight.

But the design for a Levi’s pocket, first used 133 years ago, has become the biggest legal battleground in American fashion.

This is a fabulous article, extremely relevant to what we are discussing in class. I would love to know what you guys think of all this? Do you think Levi's should be spending their time searching for imitations in department stores or focus their time more diligently on developing their fairly new premium denim line Capital E? Do you think Levi's is blaming others for their lack of success? Or do you believe they are valid in their arguments? I have to admit that Jones Apparel as well as Jelessy Jeans REALLY resemble "a pentagon surrounding a childlike drawing of a seagull in flight". What do you think it is inspirations or imitation?

~Jacqueline Glokler~

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/29/business/29jeans.htmlex=157680000&en=202a9d5c9521a3d1&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink