POPULAR CLOTHING BRAND SUES COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY OVER ALLEGED COPYCAT MERCHANDISE. (PHOTO).

 Popular clothing brand sues Columbia University over alleged copycat merchandise

Outerwear retailer Columbia Sportswear has filed a lawsuit against Columbia University, alleging trademark infringement and breach of contract over merchandise that the company claims is too similar to its own and could confuse consumers.

The lawsuit, filed July 23 in U.S. District Court in Oregon, states that the two parties had agreed in June 2023 on specific terms governing the university’s use of the word “Columbia” on apparel and accessories. According to the agreement, the university could only use “Columbia” alongside a recognizable school insignia, mascot, the word “university,” an academic department name, the founding year 1754, or some combination of these elements.

Columbia Sportswear, founded in 1938 and selling products in over 800 retail locations, including its own branded stores and online, claims that Columbia University breached this agreement by selling garments on its online store that feature only the word “Columbia” without any of the required school symbols. Many of these items also use a bright blue color similar to that long associated with Columbia Sportswear.

The suit includes photos of university merchandise displaying just “Columbia” and argues that this misuse is causing confusion among consumers and damaging Columbia Sportswear’s brand and reputation for quality. The company seeks to halt sales of the disputed clothing, recall sold items, donate remaining stock to charity, and recover three times the amount of actual damages determined by a jury.

The lawsuit arrives amid recent challenges for Columbia University, which agreed last week to pay over $220 million to the federal government to restore research funding previously canceled due to concerns over antisemitism on campus.

Neither Columbia Sportswear nor Columbia University has commented publicly on the lawsuit.