LV and Pharrell Williams sued over $500 ‘Pocket Socks’
French brand’s socks emerged from collaboration with US musician | California-based plaintiff claims to have a host of registrations for “distinctive” security socks.
Louis Vuitton Malletier and US musician Pharrell Williams are facing a trademark and trade dress infringement lawsuit over the sale of their luxury ‘Pocket Socks’, which currently cost in the region of £420 ($530 approx).
The complaint was filed on behalf of niche retailer Pocket Socks at the US District court for the Southern District of California on June 20.
Breaking boundaries
Stemming from the French brand’s much-publicised collaboration with Williams, the disputed socks made their first appearance at the musician’s debut runway show during Paris Fashion Week in June 2023.
As creative menswear director for the Paris-based fashion house, Williams' collections have so far included pieces such as beanies, coats, shirts, an LV-branded bowling ball, and a drinking cup that will set you back $1,200.
Commenting on Williams’ appointment last year, Louis Vuitton chairman and chief executive officer Pietro Beccari said: “The way in which he breaks boundaries across the various worlds he explores aligns with Louis Vuitton’s status as a cultural maison, reinforcing its values of innovation, pioneer spirit and entrepreneurship.”
Louis Vuitton is part of the luxury goods group LVMH, owned by one of the world's richest people, Bernard Arnault.
Consisting of 100% cotton, the socks at the centre of the complaint feature pockets as well as Louis Vuitton’s heritage Damier pattern, according to the fashion brand’s website.
‘Exclusive security socks’
Based in Carlsbad, California, near San Diego, Pocket Socks' complaint explains how founder Evan Papel first developed an “exclusive line of socks” more than two decades ago.
Papel was apparently inspired by his bad luck following the theft of his passport and money during his European travels, according to the company’s website.
Over a beer in Munich, the entrepreneur devised the idea of the sock with a pocket for travel security, going on to design a high-quality sock featuring a hand-sewn zippered pocket.
Pocket Socks originated first in 2002 as Zip It Sox, before rebranding to Pocket Socks ten years later.
In contrast to the Williams and Louis Vuitton version, Papel’s socks currently sell for around $20.
Following a significant investment in 2019, Pocket Socks developed an exclusive line of socks that subsequently garnered national attention by being featured on ABC’s Good Morning America, according to the complaint.
Louis Vuitton’s alleged infringement, it added, had since caused ‘irreparable harm’ to its brand and reputation.
“Recently, much attention and publicity has been generated for Louis Vuitton’s ‘Pocket Socks’, [with] the press and consumers using the name ‘Pocket Socks’ for their product, which irreparably injures Pocket Socks,” said the suit.
Papel’s company has taken consistent steps and actions to protect and police its IP rights, including stopping others from conflicting uses, insisted the filing.
For example, Pocket Socks was granted US trademark registrations in 2012, 2013 and again in 2020. Later, in 2022, Pocket Socks secured a US design patent number D965,284 entitled ‘Sock with zippered pocket’
Pocket Socks seeks a ruling of infringement as well as unspecified damages.
Stephen Lobbin, founding partner at Sml Avvocati, filed the complaint on behalf of Pocket Socks. Counsel have yet to appear for the defendants.
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