Coach Hits Gap With Trademark Suit Over T-Shirts at Old Navy

The maker of Coach products alleges that Gap Inc. is selling Old Navy apparel that infringes the Coach trademark, according to a new complaint.

Tapestry Inc. has registered multiple trademarks for the Coach brand, in use since 1941 according to the complaint filed in the US District Court for the Central District of California. The mark, first registered in 1963, is exclusively associated with Coach and recognized for indicating “high quality products,” the complaint asserts.

But Gap didn’t have permission or license to use the Coach mark on, as examples, two Old Navy T-shirts, one of which is an Old Navy Active product, Tapestry says.

Gap is a competitor, Tapestry says, and by introducing the T-shifts into the marketplace, Gap is damaging Tapestry’s goodwill, and is likely to create a false impression that Gap, the T-shirts, and Coach are connected or associated, the complaint says.

The complaint asserts two federal claims for trademark infringement/counterfeiting and false designation of origin/false advertising. It also brings three claims under California law for trademark infringement and unfair competition.

Tapestry seeks “temporary, preliminary, and permanent injunctive relief” against Gap making and selling any products with the Coach trademark. Tapestry also requests a court order requiring Gap to deliver to it any allegedly infringing material for destruction.

Tapestry also seeks an award of profits and damages, including actual and punitive damages, as well as statutory damages, and attorneys’ fees, among other things.

Gap didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Judge Hernan D. Vera is assigned the case.

Blakely Law Group represents Tapestry.

The case is Tapestry Inc. v. The Gap Inc., C.D. Cal., No. 2:24-cv-02697, complaint 4/3/24.