Levi’s sues Polo over pocket stitching

LeviÆs sues Polo over pocket stitching    San Francisco-based Levi Strauss & Co. has filed a civil lawsuit against sportswear maker Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. for allegedly copying the denim manufacturer's trademarked back-pocket stitching design.
   The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, claims that New York City-based PRL “has in the past and continues to manufacture, source, market and/or sell clothing that displays stitching designs that are confusingly similar to (Levi Strauss & Co.’s) arcuate trademark.”
   Levi's back-pocket double-arc stitching, known as an “arcuate” design and legally protected since 1873, is the oldest know apparel trademark in the United States.
   The $4 billion-a-year denim-maker's lawsuit seeks compensation for unspecified profit losses and other damages as well as a court injunction to stop PRL from using the arcuate stitching on any of the firm's products.
   Levi's officials have reportedly not served PRL with the complaint while they try to reach an out-of-court agreement.