Levi's Sues Ralph Lauren for Trademark Infringement

Popular jeans maker Levi Strauss & Co. ("Levi") owns the oldest known apparel trademark in the United States, a mark that dates back to 1873. Levi's mark covers an "arcuate" stitching design located on the back pocket of Levi's jeans. Even though the mark is over 130 years old, perpetual use on goods in commerce throughout its lifetime retains the enforceability of the mark.

In a civil lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court, Levi is claiming that the sportswear company Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. ("Ralph Lauren") is infringing Levi's arcuate trademark. Levi alleges that Ralph Lauren manufactures and sells jeans having stitching designs that are confusingly similar to Levi's arcuate trademark.

Levi is seeking unspecified damages as well as a court injunction to stop Ralph Lauren from producing the infringing jeans. Levi and Ralph Lauren are attempting to reach an amicable agreement, as Levi has yet to serve the complaint.

Aside from this lawsuit, Levi has been active in efforts to police its trademarked design. In the last two years alone, Levi has sued five other jeans makers with pocket stitching designs similar to those on Levi's jeans.