MOTHER verses LL Bean trial date set
MOTHER filed suit against retail giant LL Bean in September of 2006. The lawsuit focuses on MOTHER’s innovative Day Pack, and LL Bean’s knockoff version. The federal jury trial has been set to begin on September 17, 2007, in Tacoma, WA.
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Contact: Jefferson Coulter
AXIOS Law Group
206.217.2200
MOTHERâ„¢, spawned by a dirtbag guide who couldn’t find functional technical hunting gear, filed suit against retail giant LL Bean in September of 2006. The lawsuit focuses on MOTHER’s innovative Day Pack, and LL Bean’s knockoff version, the Upland Vest Pack. MOTHER alleges in its federal court action that Bean’s knockoff violates federal Trade Dress and False Designation of Origin statutes, as well as state Unfair Competition and Unfair Business Practice statutes. The federal jury trial has been set to begin on September 17, 2007, in Tacoma, WA.
The demand for MOTHER’s innovative products can best be judged by how quickly Bean decided to knock off the MOTHER Day Pack. Bean had sold the MOTHER Day Pack in its 2005 Bean hunting catalogue. Upon experiencing sales that far exceeded their projections, Bean decided to create its Upland Vest Pack – a pack which Bean’s own designer admits does not look “demonstrably†different from the MOTHER Day Pack.
MOTHER’sâ„¢ founder, Marty Grabijas, discovered over 30 years ago that hunting vests are pretty much useless for their intended purpose. As early as the 1960’s folks like the great Dick Kelty and Wayne Gregory had figured out how to carry a load in the field, yet hunters have suffered through the same tired stuff / different year. MOTHERâ„¢ – as in Necessity is the MOTHERâ„¢ of Invention – was born out of personal frustration and now provides performance-based equipment to hunters who seek the ultimate in technical functionality coupled with Mother’s distinct design.
