There is a willingness to comply with new government-mandated regulations, with an insistence that they should be practical and realistic.
Seeing stripes: Swatch files suit over zebra design
Swiss watch giant Swatch Group has slapped Target with a trade dress infringement lawsuit claiming the retailer is selling watches that are inferior copies of its “zebra” and “multicolor” plastic Swatch watches.
New York--Add a lawsuit filed against it by the world’s largest watchmaker to Target’s growing list of problems.
In New York federal court on Monday, Swatch Group AG slapped Minneapolis-based Target Corp. and Target Brands Inc. with a lawsuit claiming the retailer is selling watches that infringe upon the trade dress of its “zebra” and “multi-color” plastic Swatch watches.
Swatch Group is asking the court to award damages in the case, including money made from the sale of the allegedly infringing timepieces, to ban Target from selling these watches, and to order the destruction of all existing watches.
A spokesman for Target, which is grappling with sliding sales and the aftermath of the November-December theft of millions of customers’ personal data, said the retailer doesn’t have additional information to share in regards to the lawsuit. The retailer, however, issued the following statement: “It always has been, and continues to be, the policy of Target to respect the intellectual property rights of others and we expect the same from our vendors and partners.”
In the lawsuit, Swatch Group claimed it “revolutionized” the watch industry in the early 1980s by creating its plastic-cased namesake watches consisting of only 51 components.
The company “has combined high-quality fashion at an affordable price with its Swatch watches,” court papers state, and has sold millions of Swatch products worldwide since debuting in the U.S. market in 1982.
Now, Target is selling watches that infringe upon Swatch Group’s zebra and multi-color trade dresses, the watch company alleges, with the lawsuit giving an in-depth description of each timepiece, including a detailed section on the black and white stripes of the zebra design.
Target watches are “of a quality substantially different than, and inferior to, that of the plaintiff’s genuine goods,” court papers state.
Swatch and Target aren’t the only retail heavyweights battling over jewelry trademark infringement. On Valentine’s Day 2013, Tiffany & Co. filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Costco claiming the warehouse retailer had been selling engagement rings falsely labeled as “Tiffany” for years.
RELATED CONTENT: Tiffany slaps Costco with trademark lawsuit
Costco fired back with a counterclaim stating that the term “Tiffany” in the context of ring settings is now a generic term used to describe any solitaire diamond ring setting with six prongs and, therefore, is no longer a trademark.
In what legal experts called a victory for Costco, on Jan.
The Latest
A combination of factors is driving growth in the industry despite the precipitous drop in prices across the board.
The zone’s modernization will enhance and increase India’s jewelry manufacturing capabilities while aiding small and mid-sized businesses.
For over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
By the end of this year, SRK’s diamond manufacturing complexes will achieve net zero emissions, one of an impressive array of achievements.
The company plans to invest $25 million in marketing initiatives to boost awareness around its namesake and licensed brands.
Optimism about the current state of the economy was offset by anxiety around inflation and the political environment.
Ho Brothers offers scalable solutions for the future of custom jewelry.
The former WJA executive director is MFM’s new managing director.
DDG encourages retailers to educate customers on the positive impact of purchasing natural diamonds.
Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen explore how jewelers can save time and money by using AI to analyze engagement and create content.
The Florida store’s owner Miguel Gonzalez is retiring.
The lab stresses the importance of accurate identification, as the difference in price is “substantial.”
The brand also plans to expand its retail footprint from 138 to 200 stores over the next three years.
One is reserved for a NAJA member, the other for a non-member.
Longtime employees Carie Lehrke and Megan Mattice have received promotions.
Three guests joined National Jeweler and Jewelers of America to discuss trending time periods, spotting reproductions, and more.
Chris Clipper and Robert Lepere join the company with 50 years of combined experience.
The trendy, metallic earrings wink at classic spring colors.
JSA said a man and woman pulled the safe out of an Oakland jewelry store but couldn’t quite get it into their van.
The miner’s March auction generated $19 million.
Helen McCluskey will succeed H. Todd Stitzer when he meets his 12-year term limit in June.
“Chopard x Julia Roberts” showcases the first gems cut from the 6,000-carat-plus “Insofu Emerald."
The jewelry giant also posted a double-digit drop in same-store sales for the full year.
Elvis gave the watch to actress Dodie Marshall after filming “Easy Come, Easy Go.”
The Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design was presented to a graduate of the GIA school in Taipei.
The man was charged with money laundering in connection with the theft of gold, silver, and platinum over the course of three years.