Sport Investors League
  • Politics
  • Stocks
  • Investing
  • Business

Sport Investors League

  • Politics
  • Stocks
  • Investing
  • Business
Business

Columbia Sportswear sues Columbia University, alleging trademark infringement

by admin August 5, 2025
August 5, 2025
Columbia Sportswear sues Columbia University, alleging trademark infringement

For decades, T-shirts, sweatshirts and other clothing under the Columbia Sportswear brand and clothing emblazoned with the Columbia University name coexisted more or less peacefully without confusion.

But now, the Portland-based outdoor retailer has sued the New York-based university over alleged trademark infringement and a breach of contract, among other charges. It claims that the university’s merchandise looks too similar to what’s being sold at more than 800 retail locations including more than 150 of its branded stores as well as its website and third-party marketplaces.

In a lawsuit filed July 23 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, Columbia Sportswear, whose roots date back to 1938, alleges that the university intentionally violated an agreement the parties signed on June 13, 2023. That agreement dictated how the university could use the word “Columbia” on its own apparel.

As part of the pact, the university could feature “Columbia” on its merchandise provided that the name included a recognizable school insignia or its mascot, the word “university,” the name of the academic department or the founding year of the university — 1754 — or a combination.

But Columbia Sportswear alleges the university breached the agreement a little more than a year later, with the company noticing several garments without any of the school logos being sold at the Columbia University online store.

Many of the garments feature a bright blue color that is “confusingly similar” to the blue color that has long been associated with Columbia Sportswear, the suit alleged.

The lawsuit offered photos of some of the Columbia University items that say only Columbia.

“The likelihood of deception, confusion, and mistake engendered by the university’s misappropriation and misuse of the Columbia name is causing irreparable harm to the brand and goodwill symbolized by Columbia Sportswear’s registered mark Columbia and the reputation for quality it embodies,” the lawsuit alleged.

The lawsuit comes at a time when Columbia University has been threatened with the potential loss of billions of dollars in government support.

Last week, Columbia University reached a deal with the Trump administration to pay more than $220 million to the federal government to restore federal research money that was canceled in the name of combating antisemitism on campus.

Under the agreement, the Ivy League school will pay a $200 million settlement over three years, the university said.

Columbia Sportswear aims to stop all sales of clothing that violate the agreement, recall any products already sold and donate any remaining merchandise to charity. Columbia Sportswear is also seeking three times the amount of actual damages determined by a jury.

Neither Columbia Sportswear or Columbia University couldn’t be immediately reached for comment.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
All major Las Vegas Strip casinos are now unionized in historic labor victory
next post
Fortune Bay Announces Option Agreement for the Woods Uranium Projects

Related Posts

Apple looking to make ‘premium’-priced folding iPhones starting...

June 21, 2025

Hims & Hers Health says it will offer...

May 23, 2024

Google makes first foray into fusion in venture...

July 1, 2025

Trump commutes sentence of Ozy Media founder Carlos...

March 30, 2025

Family offices are giving top staff equity, profit...

July 31, 2024

Walgreens doubles down on prescription-filling robots to cut...

May 13, 2025

GM lays off 1,000 employees amid reorganization and...

November 17, 2024

Walmart to pay $10 million to settle lawsuit...

June 24, 2025

IAC approves spinoff of home improvement marketplace Angi

January 14, 2025

Intel shares plunge 28%, dragging down global chip...

August 3, 2024

    Get free access to all of the retirement secrets and income strategies from our experts! or Join The Exclusive Subscription Today And Get the Premium Articles Acess for Free


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent

    • Sydney Sweeney jeans controversy making advertising great again

      August 10, 2025
    • Nagasaki mayor issues chilling warning on 80th anniversary of atomic bombing

      August 10, 2025
    • Kash Patel celebrates major FBI achievements and record seizures during Trump’s first 200 days in office

      August 10, 2025
    • Trump nominates State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce as UN deputy representative

      August 10, 2025
    • White House responds to surge in Christian persecution crisis across sub-Saharan Africa

      August 10, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (1,058)
    • Investing (2,793)
    • Politics (3,438)
    • Stocks (1,155)
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: sportinvestorsleague.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 sportinvestorsleague.com | All Rights Reserved