Outerwear retailer Columbia Sportswear has filed a lawsuit against Columbia University, alleging trademark infringement and breach of contract. The company claims that the university's merchandise too closely resembles its own products, potentially confusing shoppers.
The lawsuit, filed on 23 July in federal court in Oregon, contends that the Ivy League institution violated an agreement signed on 13 June 2023. That pact allowed the university to use the word 'Columbia' on apparel and accessories only if it included a recognizable school insignia, the word 'university', the academic department name, the founding year (1754), or a combination thereof.
Columbia Sportswear, based in Portland, Oregon, and operating over 800 retail locations, alleges that the university sold garments without any school logos at its online store. Many items feature a bright blue colour 'confusingly similar' to the company's trademarked blue, the suit claims.
The lawsuit states: 'The likelihood of deception, confusion, and mistake engendered by the university’s misappropriation and misuse of the Columbia name is causing irreparable harm to the brand and goodwill symbolized by Columbia Sportswear’s registered mark.'
Columbia Sportswear seeks to halt sales of violating clothing, recall sold products, and donate remaining stock to charity. It also demands triple the actual damages determined by a jury. The legal action comes as Columbia University faces potential loss of billions in government support, recently agreeing to pay over $220m to restore federal research funds.
