Philipp Plein has become the latest global brand to fall under the litigious scrutiny of Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.).
In the complaint filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on Dec. 16, the heritage denim brand claims Swiss-based Phillip Plein has misappropriated its famous Tab trademark as a symbol for their own apparel products. Levi’s goes on to claim that the willful trademark infringement has been committed with the intent to cause confusion, mistake, deception or harm to Levi’s and consumers.
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Levi’s includes several photos of Phillip Plein crystal-embellished jeans, denim jackets, button-down shirts and miniskirts with Plein’s black tabs in the complaint. The heritage brand notes that its tab trademark is often displayed in red, but appears in all colors including in white, blue, black, silver, gold, and orange. It also highlights how it uses the tab in connection with many collaborations with other designer brands including Valentino, Kenzo and Miu Miu.
Despite attempts to resolve the dispute short of litigation, Levi’s says Phillip Plein has ignored its requests. In the complaint, it is requesting that Philipp Plein permanently cease manufacturing, producing, sourcing, importing, exporting, selling, buying, offering for sale, distributing, licensing, advertising, or promoting any goods or services, using any words, symbols or designs that resemble the Tab trademark
Additionally, Levi’s is requesting that Philipp Plein immediately delivers to the LS&Co. counsel their entire inventory of infringing products, packaging, patterns and other material for producing such items and provide a complete list of individuals and entities from whom or which they purchased, and to whom or which they sold, distributed, advertised or promoted the infringing products.
Without restraint by the court, Levi’s said Philipp Plein will “cause great and irreparable damage and injury to LS&Co.” The company goes on to say the infringing product depraves Levi’s its rights to use and control its trademark and maintain its reputation with consumers, licensees and collaborators and allows others to believe the distinctive features of the Tab trademark may be misappropriated for their use.
Philipp Plein is familiar with court cases, especially ones filed by brands that want to distance themselves from the lavish and loud lifestyle its namesake founder promotes on social media. In 2020, Ferrari won its case against Philipp Plein claiming the fashion brand used its cars for promotional purposes. In 2018, Philipp Plein was ordered to pay a monetary settlement to luxury leather accessories brand Perrin Paris for copying its patented clutch bag design.
Levi’s has waged similar trademark infringement claims against FullCount Co., Hammies, Yves Saint Lauren, Vineyard Vines and more. Last year, Levi’s settled a lawsuit accusing the Italian luxury label Brunello Cucinelli of infringing on its trademarked rectangular pocket tab.
