RHUDE is facing a lawsuit from French design brand TOKIKO, which claims that RHUDE has stolen one of its copyright-protected prints for copycat offerings of its own, including shirts, shorts, and pants. According to the complaint that they filed with the Tribunal Judiciaire de Paris, TOKIKO and and its co-founder Anna Skoog (collectively, “TOKIKO”) claim that the print at the heart of RHUDE’s “STRADA” collection is a direct replica of their “Monaco Grand Prix” artwork, a black-and-white rendering of Monaco’s cityscape that consists of curving cartographic elements, figurative icons, and minimalist typography.
In the newly-filed complaint, as first reported by TFL, TOKIKO alleges that it has marketed its original and distinctive “Monaco Grand Prix” work since May 2022 across decorative posters and textiles. Fast forward to June 2023, and TOKIKO claims that RHUDE unveiled an infringing version of the pattern during Paris Fashion Week, showing a collection that consisted of an array of garments bearing a near-exact version of the print. Making only minor changes to the original, TOKIKO claims that RHUDE rebranded its infringing work of art under the “STRADA” name, thereby, removing any mention of Skoog, and violating her right of attribution (to be credited as the author) and right to integrity (to prevent unauthorized alterations) under French law.
Shortly after the debut of its STRADA collection, TOKIKO claims that RHUDE started selling the “copycat” apparel on its website, via international retailers, and in physical stores in France.
After learning of the infringing wares, TOKIKO asserts that it notified RHUDE of the infringement through formal cease-and-desist letters in July and August 2024, but counsel for the American fashion brand founded by Rhuigi Villaseñor failed to respond or resolve the issue. While RHUDE quietly removed the product listings from its e-commerce site in the wake of the cease-and-desist letters, TOKIKO maintains that the same items allegedly reappeared in early 2025 on RHUDE’s outlet site under a “Super Bowl” themed promotion. TOKIKO argues that RHUDE’s ongoing promotion and sale of the infringing goods reflects “willful and bad faith conduct.”
With the foregoing in mind, TOKIKO sets out claims of copyright infringement, unregistered Community design infringement, and parasitism. In furtherance of its parasitism claim (a French doctrine akin to unfair competition that penalizes one business for riding on another’s coattails), in particular, TOKIKO states that RHUDE took advantage of its creative and financial investment in the design, affixed its own trademark to a derivative version of the design, and benefited from TOKIKO’s brand reputation and work in the process.
In connection with its lawsuit, TOKIKO is seeking nearly €1 million in damages from RHUDE, including €500,000 for economic losses, €300,000 for moral harm, and €50,000 for parasitic exploitation. Meanwhile, Skoog is independently pursuing €50,000 in compensation for the violation of her moral right as the creator of the pattern at issue.
Additionally, TOKIKO and Skoog want the court to issue a permanent injunction banning RHUDE from further reproducing the “Monaco Grand Prix” design, along with the destruction of unsold inventory and a recall of all infringing products in circulation. Further, they request that RHUDE be compelled to publish the judgment on the homepage of its e-commerce site for six months and in at least two fashion media outlets.
A representative for RHUDE was not immediately available for comment.
The case is TOKIKO and SKOOG v. RHUDE DESIGNS, LLC, Tribunal judiciaire de Paris, RG.
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