Patagonia Settles Its Trademark Infringement Case With GAP

After announcing it will be suing Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) for $2 Million dollars after the catastrophic end to their partnership, it seems GAP can't quite catch a break. The brand has now found itself in hot water with outdoor eco-conscious apparel giant Patagonia after allegedly copying one of its most popular designs.

The design in question was Patagonia's signature Snap-T Pullover, a fleece garment known for its distinctive flap pocket, button neck and mountain logo on the chest. Last year, GAP launched what can only be considered a carbon copy of the pullover, even featuring its own take on the “P-6” mountain logo in the same position. Anyone with eyes can spot the similarities between the two, so it might not come as a surprise that the case was a clear-cut win for Patagonia.

On the matter, a Patagonia spokesperson noted, “The GAP infringements have caused or are likely to cause dilution of Patagonia’s famous and distinctive mark by diminishing its distinctiveness and singular association with Patagonia,” and “Given how derivative the GAP Infringements are of Patagonia’s original designs and logo, there is no question that GAP’s copying has been willful and deliberate.”

As of Friday, the case has been settled, with the judge agreeing to drop the claims. No further details have been made public, but we can only imagine that negotiations went firmly in Patagonia's favour. In other fashion news, Nike announces leadership shuffle in a quest for innovation.