Levi vs YSL: tab trade mark infringement claim

Levi Strauss who are famous for their denim clothing has taken on French fashion house YSL (Yves Saint Laurent) over their tab trade mark.

Levi claims that YSL are committing trade mark infringement and trade mark dilution by producing jeans with a similar tab to that of Levi’s.

Levi’s tab device has been a registered trade mark in the US since 1949 and has been used in commerce since 1936.

The claim states that:

“Beginning at some time in the past and continuing until the present, YSL has manufactured, promoted, and sold garments that infringe and dilute Levi Strauss’s trademarks.”

The suit goes on to state that YSL’s tab is likely to cause confusion with Levi’s tab, especially as the products are identical or highly similar.

Levi claim that it is their belief that YSL will continue its illegal activities unless it is restrained by the court.

In respect of remedies, Levi are claiming triple damages as they believe that YSL have caused them to lose sales. They also are claiming for YSL’s profits, an injunction and costs.

It will be interesting to see how this one pans out especially as Levi are also pursuing an e-commerce outlet for trademark infringement, also in relation to the tab device.

Something tells me that we have not heard the last about this mark, is there more cases on the horizon? Time will tell!