Koyono sues 7 for All Mankind for trademark infringement
21 Apr '11
2 min read
Koyono Company announced that it has filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio (Court Case Number: 3:11-cv-00047-TMR) against 7 for All Mankind, LLC, a VF Corporation brand. Koyono seeks to prevent 7 for All Mankind from infringing on Koyono's registered Slimmy trademark in conjunction with a premium line of 7 for All Mankind jeans.
Koyono obtained the Slimmy trademark in 2005 after selling the company's popular Slimmy products for several years. Koyono's original filing for the trademark dates to July, 12th 2004 and Koyono has been using the Slimmy mark since 2003.
"We made a good faith attempt to amicably settle this matter without the need for a lawsuit, but our communications with 7 for All Mankind were never answered. This is a regrettable development. Koyono is a small company and we really do not like conflict, especially with a Goliath like VF Corporation,” said Jay Yoo, president of Koyono. "If 7 for All Mankind made a diet drink, that would be one thing; but it is quite another for them to be using our trademark without our permission on clothing so closely associated with our line of Slimmy accessories (wallets, business card cases, etc.)."
"7 for All Mankind and Koyono are targeting the same Internet savvy, fashion conscious consumers and, therefore, there is a real likelihood of confusion in the marketplace," Yoo concluded.
With its lawsuit, Koyono is seeking injunctive relief and punitive damages to prevent 7 for All Mankind from copying Koyono's Slimmy trademark.
Koyono is a purveyor of apparel and accessories that unify technology and fashion for fluid living on-the-go. Koyono markets products through on-line stores at Koyono.com, Amazon.com, and SuperSlimmy.com. In 2006, Koyono received worldwide recognition for being one of the first designers of iPod enabled clothing. Koyono is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.