Court Date
Jones Apparel Group Inc. filed a $550 million lawsuit against Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. on June 3 after talks to resolve a dispute over a lucrative women’s clothing license collapsed. The New York–based companies have spent months trying to reach an agreement on how to transition the license, but the matter will now be decided in court with Polo Ralph Lauren issuing a counter suit against Jones. Jones’ suit alleges the defendant embarked on an unlawful plan to take back the Lauren license by claiming it expires at the end of 2003. Jones believes that under an existing agreement it owns the exclusive U.S. and Canadian rights to use the Lauren trademark through the end of 2006. In its lawsuit, Polo Ralph Lauren said it is seeking an injunction and a judgment that the Lauren license expires on Dec. 31.
