THOMAS PINK has filed an infringement case against Victoria’s Secret over the
name of its younger secondary line, Pink. The London-based shirtmaker has
accused the British arm of the US underwear brand of misleading customers
by marketing and selling products under the Pink label.
Victoria’s Secret launched its first two stand-alone stores in London last year,
one in Westfield Stratford and a flagship store on Bond Street – which features
a separate street entrance to the basement floor, which stocks the Pink range
of loungewear, accessories and underwear. The successful secondary line,
aimed at a slightly younger shopper, first launched in the US in 2001.
Thomas Pink filed the infringement case with the Patents County Court in May,
a spokesperson for the brand confirmed. Victoria’s Secret then responded with
a declaratory judgement lawsuit in America, to establish “the rights of the parties,
allowing them to continue the peaceful coexistence that has been in place for
many years,” reports Drapers, adding that “the UK action places Victoria’s Secret
at imminent risk of a suit on the same grounds in the US.”
“Thomas Pink is determined to protect the considerable investment that has been
made into building the world’s luxury leading shirt brand,” said a Thomas Pink
spokesperson. “No further comment will be made beyond this statement as this is
now a legal matter.” No comment has been made by Victoria’s Secret.
