Lululemon Sues Costco Over Alleged Copycat Fashion: NPR

Luxury athletic brand Lululemon has filed a lawsuit against Costco, alleging that the wholesale club is selling knockoffs of its signature designs under the Kirkland Signature brand at a lower price.

In the lawsuit, Lululemon stated that other companies have copied its proprietary apparel designs, creating what is known as 'knockoffs' or 'dupes' in the fashion industry due to the success of its products.

The complaint mentioned that the unauthorized products sold by Costco create a misleading association with Lululemon's authentic products, citing the use of the hashtag 'LululemonDupes' on social media to find similar products at a lower price.

Lululemon accused Costco of infringing on its design patents and leveraging the luxury brand's reputation and goodwill to sell unlicensed apparel.

In response, Lululemon emphasized its commitment to protecting its intellectual property rights through legal action when necessary, highlighting its investment in research, development, and design of products.

Costco, known for its Kirkland Signature brand offering quality products at competitive prices to its members, did not provide an immediate comment on the lawsuit.

Founded in 1998 in Vancouver, Lululemon has become a prominent player in fashionable athletic wear, while Costco has built a loyal customer base with its private label brand, generating significant revenue in fiscal 2024.