Forever 21 prevails in first step of Puma lawsuit

By

Olivier Guyot

Published
Apr 13, 2017

Forever 21 has prevailed in the first step in the lawsuit brought by Puma for intellectual property rights violations. Earlier this month, the German sportswear giant made the decision to sue Forever 21, as according to them, the American fast fashion brand has copied three models of its Puma x Fenty shoes.

Puma initally submitted three different complaints, concerning the patent, trade dress and the violation of intellectual property rights. Furthermore, Puma accused Forever 21 of copying three Fenty models designed by Rihanna: the Fur Slide, the Bow Slide and the highly popular Creeper. While the Puma versions retail between $80 and $100, those of Forever 21 are on sale for less than 25 dollars.

Puma demanded the withdrawal of the models in question from Forever 21 stores and requested that the profits made from their sales be transferred to Puma, as well as asking for a temporary injunction. Puma also expressed a hope that the jury would ban Forever 21 from selling new version of these models.

The jury, however, did not consider the request and allowed Forever 21 - at least for the time being - to continue selling the shoes. Still, it is only the first step in the lawsuit, and the final judgment on whether Forever 21 will be obliged to pay damages to Puma or not, is yet to be passed.