THE SAGA CONTINUES: Gucci & Guess Land in Federal Court Over Knockoffs?

Gucci is finally having its day in Federal court from what began initially as a lawsuit filed back in 2009!  Gucci has accused Guess of product infringement on its trademarked designs.  According to Gucci’s court filings this includes the green and red stripe design, the square G, the designer’s name in flowing script and a diamond pattern with repeating interlocking G’s.  Guess doesn’t quite see it that way.  They claim Gucci “sat on its rights” for seven years prior to suing.  It’s their belief that if they, Guess, were really doing something wrong why did Gucci wait so long to file???  Additionally Guess is asking for proof that consumers are confused about the difference between Guess and Gucci products.  WELL it’s Gucci’s claim that $221 million worth of Guess products infringed Gucci designs.  That’s a lot of damn confused customers!!

I can understand both arguments but I’m gonna have to side with Guess on this one.  Yes, there are absolutely some Guess products that are modeled after Gucci products.  However, there is NOOOO way that anyone with the clear intention of buying a pair of $400 designer Gucci sneakers (like the ones above) mistakenly purchased a pair of $75 Guess sneakers instead.  Let’s recap, YES Guess mimicked some designs but NO it doesn’t appear that this in any way misdirected profits that Gucci would have otherwise pocketed.  That’s just my common sense verdict based on the fact that I’ve also never heard anyone rap about Guess or give themselves monikers paying homage to Guess (Gucci Mane anyone).  We’ll have to wait a few weeks to see what the courts decide.  I’ll definitely keep you posted.

Spotted