Coach Sues Gap, Inc. Over T-Shirts Printed With the Word "Coach"

Coach’s parent company Tapestry has sued Gap, Inc. over T-shirts printed with “COACH” lettering from its Old Navy brand. Per the complaint, filed with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Tapestry claims that Gap, Inc. is engaging in trademark infringement, false advertising and unfair competition.

“Defendants without authorization from Coach, have used and continue to use in commerce counterfeit imitations of the federally registered Coach Trademarks in connection with the sale, offering for sale, distribution and/or advertising of infringing goods,” the suit alleges. Tapestry claims that Gap, Inc’s activities are “likely to create a false impression and deceive consumers, the public and the trade into believing that there is a connection or association between the Defendants, the Accused Products, and Coach.”

The suit states that Coach has suffered “substantial damages” and will “continue to suffer irreparable injury without adequate remedy at law,” thanks to consumer confusion associated with Old Navy’s T-shirts. Tapestry alleges that the product was introduced to exploit Coach’s goodwill and the reputation of its iconography.

Tapestry did not disclose the exact dollar amount that it’s looking to retrieve in damages, though the company did request that Gap, Inc.’s unsold inventory of the infringing products be destroyed.

See the full court filing here.