Next faces a lawsuit from the renowned motorcycle company Harley-Davidson, with allegations that a t-shirt sold by Next mimics Harley-Davidson’s distinctive logo, according to legal proceedings in the High Court of London.
Harley-Davidson is accusing Next of mimicking its iconic emblem with a t-shirt design that features similar biker-style wings and flames. The garment bears the slogan “Rise and Roar,” which, as per The Financial Times, is deemed too close to Harley-Davidson’s own trademarks.
The contested “Black Fearless Stud Graphic Long Sleeve T-Shirt” is listed on Next’s website, offered in a range from toddler to teen sizes, and is priced between £6 and £8.50.
Within its legal complaint, Harley-Davidson argues that Next’s design is virtually a carbon copy of their well-recognized symbol and that the combination of graphics and wording used echoes a style typically associated with motorcycles, particularly that of Harley-Dragon’s own branding.
“Motifs featuring black, flames, and wings are recurrent themes used in conjunction with the branding and trademarks of [Harley-Davidson],” the motorcycle giant remarked. It continued to assert that the pattern Next used could inadvertently remind people of Harley-Davidson’s own branding.
The motorcycle manufacturer is petitioning for a legal ruling confirming Next’s transgression of trademark rights and a court order compelling the fashion merchant to annihilate all goods in violation of these rights.
While Harley-Dison has opted not to issue a statement on the matter, Next has been approached to provide their standpoint.
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