'Twilight' Studio Sues B.B. Dakota
Summit Entertainment, the studio behind the wildly popular series of “Twilight” teen vampire movies, has filed a copyright- and trademark-infringement lawsuit against Costa Mesa, Calif.–based apparel manufacturer B.B. Dakota over a jacket.
The jacket, originally released in 2006 by B.B. Dakota, became a sensation in 2008 after actress Kristen Stewart’s character, Bella Swan, wore it onscreen and in marketing materials for the films. The jacket was purchased off-the-rack by the movie’s stylist.
In the wake of the jacket’s film debut, B.B. Dakota rereleased the style as the “Twilight” jacket and invoked the “Twilight” name by marketing it “as seen on” the film. Some online retailers stayed away from the “Twilight” connection, selling it instead under its original name—the “Nicola” jacket.
Summit is seeking to bar B.B. Dakota from continuing to sell the jacket and wants the brand to hand over all profits earned from the jacket as well as any “Twilight” jackets so that they may be destroyed. Reached for comment, Gloria Brandes, B. B. Dakota’s owner and designer, said, “We are working to amicably settle the situation with Summit.”—Erin Barajas
