image: H&M
Merch is one of the most striking trends in fashion over the past couple of years, proving to be a goldmine for musicians and fashion brands, alike, as well as a hotbed for lawsuits. On the heels of the filing of a number of lawsuits over Kendall and Kylie Jenner’s own tour-inspired merch, and suits over fake Chance the Rapper and Harry Styles merch, H&M has been slapped with a lawsuit over the garments it’s been selling in connection with Justin Bieber’s Purpose tour.
This fall, the Swedish fast fashion giant teamed up with Bieber to launch a collection of garments for his “Purpose the Stadium Tour.” While Bieber announced that he would take a hiatus from the tour, the merchandise – which consists of a handful of hoodies, t-shirts, and sweatpants – was made available for sale, nonetheless.
Among the wares in that capsule: Hoodies and t-shirts adorned with a capital “S” graphic and the word “Stadium” on the front. While the collection has been a hit amongst Bieber fans, Swedish sportswear retail chain, Stadium, is not pleased and has taken to filing a trademark infringement suit against H&M.
According to its complaint, which was filed earlier this month in court in Stockholm, Stadium alleges that H&M is running afoul of the law for using its name on the merch and confusing consumers into believing that it is in some way affiliated with the fast fashion retailer’s offerings. Stadium asserts, “H&M has used a sign which is identical with Stadium’s brand in the marketing and selling of clothes. The ongoing use of it in most [European Union] member states is a violation of Stadium’s exclusive rights.”
The sweatshirt and t-shirts at issue, which are selling for between $34.99 and $17.99, are still available for sale on H&M’s site in the U.S. and internationally. Stadium has asked the court to order H&M to immediately and permanently cease all sales of the allegedly infringing garments and is seeking damages of 1 million Swedish crowns ($118,460) for each instance of trademark infringement.
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