Here are TFL’s Top Stories of the Week

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Ahead of the start of the Olympics today, the robust rights held by the International Olympic Committee and in the U.S., the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (“USOPC”) are garnering attention, in part because of the well-known willingness of these entities to take legal action when their trademarks are used without authorization. “The Olympics benefits from extra special trademark protection here in the United States. Unlike in other countries, the federal government does not fund Team USA, so our athletes mostly rely on sponsorship dollars to compete,” Dorsey & Whitney’s Fara Sunderji wrote recently, noting that “when advertisers use the Olympics brand without authorization, the USOPC views this as a loss of sponsorship dollars” – and very well may take legal action.


The basis for such actions is, of course, trademark infringement – but that is not the only cause of action that the USOPC relies upon. In fact, the organizing body routinely alleges violations of the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act. The almost 50-year-old federal statute enables the USOPC to take civil action against entities for the remedies provided in the Lanham Act if they use “for the purpose of trade, to induce the sale of any goods or services, or to promote any theatrical exhibition, athletic performance, or competition, any trademark, trade name, sign, symbol, or insignia that falsely represents an association with, or authorization by, the USOPC or the IOC” without authorization.


– Julie Zerbo
Founder & Editor-in-Chief

Here are TFL’s top articles of the week …

1. At the Olympics, Advanced Counterfeiting Means Advanced Prevention. The 2024 Olympics in Paris face heightened counterfeit risks due to advancements in AI and manufacturing, which speed up and expand the production and delivery of fake goods.


2. Lululemon Accused of “Global Greenwashing” Effort in New Lawsuit. Lululemon has been named in a new lawsuit for allegedly deceiving consumers by way of misleading statements over its commitment to the environment.

3. From Alibaba to Shein, Retail is Now Made, Sold & Marketed by China. Shoppers went to AliExpress because they wanted to buy cheap and from China; now millennials and Gen-Z go to Shein because it is a good retailer.


4. Dior is Still Fighting Adult Film Star Gigi Dior in Trademark Battle. Dior’s trademark battle against an adult film star over her use of its name in her stage name is heating up.


5. From Upcycling to Resale: What’s the Deal with Disclaimers. Chanel and What Goes Around Comes Around (“WGACA”) are currently clashing over equitable remedies in phase two of trial in a trademark case that centers on the resale market.

7. In case you missed this … The Risks of Green Marketing: A Snapshot of Greenwashing Litigation. Greenwashing litigation has been making headlines, with H&M, Allbirds, Nike & Canada Goose being among some of the big-name companies that have been targeted with lawsuits.


8. From APC to Birkenstock, a Timeline of L Catterton Investments, Acquisitions. Our Timeline of L Catterton Investments and Acquisitions  is up to date. The newest deal on the list: L Catterton will acquire a 42 percent stake Value Retail from Hammerson.