Lululemon Takes Big Aim at Costco's Budget Leggings
Lululemon's leggings are well-known and highly prized. They're also pretty costly.
However, now the company is taking aim at Costco, accusing the chain of selling a knockoff version, sometimes called a "dupe."
"Lululemon files this action as part of its intellectual property enforcement efforts directed to retailers who have chosen to copy rather than compete," Lululemon wrote in its lawsuit.
"Costco has unlawfully traded upon Plaintiffs’ reputation, goodwill and sweat equity by selling unauthorized and unlicensed apparel employing knockoff, infringing versions of Plaintiffs’ well-known trade dress and design patents," the lawsuit alleges.
According to Lululemon, the popularity of its leggings have led to people creating what are called "dupes" or "knockoffs."
"There is even a hashtag 'LululemonDupes' on social media platforms such as TikTok that social media influencers use when promoting these copycat products," the company wrote.
The lawsuit accuses Costco of having "imported into the U.S., distributed, advertised, marketed, offered for sale and/or sold at least the Infringing Products identified under the name 'Danskin Half-Zip Pullover.'"
In the lawsuit, Lululemon goes into great detail about the unique designs in its products, and their popularity, including with household name celebrities.
The lawsuit singles out a Costco product called "Danskin Ladies Half-Zip Hoodie."
It also singles out a product called “Jockey Ladies Yoga Jacket," as "infringing," among others.
The June 27 filing contains photos showing the Costco and Lululemon products side-by-side.
According to CNN, Costco has not yet responded to the accusations; Lululemon previously made similar accusations against Peloton before they banded together in a partnership, the network reported.