Coach is taking a stand against those replica handbags, filing a lawsuit against Brown Shoe Co. Inc.
The luxury label says the brand sells a purse that is “virtually an exact copy” of the Coach Ergo Pleated handbag. The designer imitation is available through Brown Shoe’s Naturalizer store chain. Coach is seeking an injunction, damages for the profits it would have made, any profits Brown Shoe’s made from the patent, and other unspecified damages.
Looking at the Naturalizer website, this may not be the retailer’s last lawsuit. It features plenty of purses which bear more than a passing resemblance to our favorite Yves Saint Laurent and Foley + Corinna accessories.
I definitely don’t mind smaller retailers offering on trend purses at more affordable prices than the high-end designers, but a little originality wouldn’t go astray. All these rip-off merchants do is devalue those gorgeous designer originals, which isn’t good for anyone in the long run.
