Levi Sues Esprit Over Rear- Pocket Stitching

Levi Strauss & Co., the maker of Levi’s jeans and Dockers slacks, alleges in a lawsuit that Esprit Holdings Ltd. has illegally used its trademarked red stitching on the name tab on the rear jeans pocket.

Esprit, a Hong Kong-based fashion retailer, uses similar red stitching to spell its brand name on the tab on men’s and women’s jeans, according to a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in San Francisco. Levi Strauss says it has used the red ribbon saying “Levi’s” on the rear pocket since 1936.

San Francisco-based Levi Strauss’ suit seeks damages and any profit from clothing already sold. It also seeks to stop Esprit’s conduct.