DJP Holdings files lawsuit against Donald Pliner

By

Obi Anyanwu

Published
Aug 8, 2016

DJP Holdings, LLC, the parent company of the Donald J Pliner men’s and women’s footwear and accessories brand, announced on Friday that it has filed suit against its founder and former designer Donald Pliner and his spouse Lisa Pliner.

 
The lawsuit claims breach of contract, trademark infringement, false advertising, deceptive trade practices and unfair competition committed by the Pliners in connection with a new footwear business. DJP Holdings request relief that includes stopping the shipment, display or sale of the infringing footwear and packaging made by the Pliners at wholesale and in retail stores.
 
The Pliners sold control of DJP Holdings to Castanea Partners in 2011, and in 2015, Donald stepped down as Creative Director of the Donald J Pliner Company to pursue new endeavors. Lisa Pliner left the company as well with the same agenda.

The company was sold when it was experiencing numerous financial challenges. The Pliners entered into agreements assigning all intellectual property, work product, designs and all other aspects of the Donald J Pliner fashion brand including the use of their names and rights of publicity, to the Company.    
 
Pliner founded the Donald J Pliner Company in 1989 offering men’s and women’s luxury footwear and accessories. The brand operates six retail stores in Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, New Orleans, Orlando and San Jose as well as an e-commerce website.