Coach Sues Ritz Studio

Last week, Coach filed suit against Ritz Studio, an Illinois-based corporation, for copyright infringement, trademark infringement, trademark counterfeiting, trademark dilution, trade dress infringement, false designation of origin and false advertising, in addition to common law and Illinois state law claims.  This action comes just weeks after Coach filed suit for trademark and copyright infringement against another Illinois company, Le Chic.

According to Coach, defendant Ritz Studio designed, produced, advertised and sold various counterfeit products bearing the famed and trademarked Coach logos, including other indicia and design elements. 

The leather goods giant is seeking preliminary and permanent injunctions against Ritz Studio, barring them from "manufacturing, importing, advertising, marketing, promoting, supplying, distributing, offering for sale, or selling any products which bear the Coach Trademarks, the Coach Trade Dresses, and/or the Coach Design Elements."  Additionally, Coach has asked for the recall and destruction of all infringing products.  Coach is also seeking to recover statutory damages of $2 million per counterfeit mark, profits realized from the sale of the counterfeit items, actual and punitive damages under federal and state law and attorneys costs and fees.