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Robert Lopez Sues Macy’s Over Lower East Side Trademark

Posted on: June 14th, 2012 by

Best sticker ever

The battlefield of litigation – strewn with the corpses of infringing parties – has been silent for quite some time. Robert G. Lopez, founder of the LES Clothing Co. and owner of its Lower East Side trademark, was focusing his energies on running the brand from his nascent retail store at 43 Clinton Street. Now it’s back to the front lines for the guy.

Apparently a few customers had come into the store looking for a specific LES-branded shirt that Macy’s recently began selling. Ever on top of his game, Lopez swiftly filed suit yesterday against the department store for appropriating the Lower East Side moniker for exploitation. As with previous actions targeted toward the Goliath-sized fashion industry, this so-called David is seeking all profits derived from sale of such goods as well as punitive damages.

Taking a step back, it’s incredible how successful Lopez has been in enforcing his intellectual property. There was Payless Shoesource, J. Crew, Aeropostale (2 times), Urban Outfitters, and Mitchell & Ness.  Not to mention New Era Cap, www.cafepress.com, www.skreened.com, and www.t-shirtmojo.com. If past is precedent, expect another settlement here.

Below is the complaint, hot off the press:

Robert Lopez vs. Macy’s

  • Dolly

    I love this guy…nit only his his LES gear hot but hes doign the unthinkable by single handedly taking down these major companies…as he says…Loyalty Equals Strength all the way…good luck Mr. LES!!!

  • Seth Gordon

    Well, hopefully Macy’s will actually fight him, unlike most of the places he’s sued before. The idea that anyone owns the trademark to the name of a geographic area is ludicrous. Or maybe I should trademark “New York City” so no one but me can put it on a t-shirt.

  • Jackie Alperson

    Love this guy all you want, you can’t fucking own the trademark to “Lower East Side”. He didn’t coin the term. It’s a part of the city. Give me a break.

  • http://shawnchittle.com/ Shawn Chittle

    Seth, you are free to write a strongly worded letter to the USPTO. It’s their jurisdiction.

    Robert, my brother – show ‘em what ya got. Robert is “David” and these big companies trying to cash in on the neighborhood are “Goliath.” This is an epic story of little guy vs. big guy.

    For a change, the little guy is winning, because he is smarter than the big guy.

    Stay tuned, when the stars align you’ll be seeing a great doc on Robert that I am working on!

    LES 1 LUV 4 EVER

  • ToneLoco

    I live right across the street from his store and known about him for years even when his products were at Burkina on Houston Street. He is a born and bred L.E.S. resident who works in the community and for the community. Just as much as the corporations have a right to Trademark anything as they please, he does as well. His entire business is based on the Lower East Side and that’s all it would ever be. I hope he wins and continues to go after those corporations who try to profit off of branded clothing with his trademark. I also hope that down the line that robert doesn’t ever sell his business to any corporation. His business keeps the original L.E.S. relevant even after all the changes in the recent years.

  • Trademark My Nuts

    Ima trademark the word NEW and sue New York, New Jersey, New Mexico and
    New Hampshire

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