Business

It’s Gucci vs. Guess? in ‘G’ spat

Gucci America, the maker of luxury clothing and accessories, told a federal judge that Guess? products infringe Gucci’s trademarked designs.

US District Judge Shira Scheindlin yesterday began conducting a trial without a jury on Gucci’s infringement claim in Manhattan.

Gucci, a unit of Paris-based PPR, claims that Los Angeles-based Guess? was selling items in stores and online with logos that are “studied imitations of the Gucci trademarks.” The trademarks include a green-and-red stripe design, a square G, the designer’s name in flowing script and a diamond pattern with repeating interlocking Gs, according to court filings.

The company claims that $221 million worth of Guess? products infringed Gucci designs.

Guess? said in court papers that Gucci can’t claim infringement because it “sat on its rights” for at least seven years before suing.