Lululemon drops patent case against Calvin Klein
Lululemon Athletica Inc. built its name by making trendy, body-hugging yoga pants now ubiquitous in yoga studios, gyms and on city streets across Canada, and it's not afraid to sue the pants off any rival trying to mimic its product.
The Vancouver-based retailer says it reached an out-of-court settlement with rival Calvin Klein Inc. over workout pants, according to media reports. Details of the settlement were not disclosed, but the company said it will dismiss the lawsuit.
At issue were three patents including one featuring an overlapping fabric design for waistbands. Lululemon filed the suit against PVH Corp.'s Calvin Klein and G-III Apparel Group Ltd., a manufacturer and supplier for the brand, in August.
Lululemon had claimed Calvin Klein's "Performance'' brand includes the same waistband design elements and pant style featured on Lululemon's "Astro" line of pants. Lululemon was awarded the patents this year and last, according to the reports.