Burberry Sues Minneapolis-Based Target Over Plaid Pattern

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — British luxury fashion brand Burberry is suing Minneapolis-based Target for alleged trademark infringements over its iconic checkered plaid pattern. Burberry believes Target has used its pattern on its own brand of eyewear, luggage and water bottles.

"Target's pattern and practice of offering for sale and selling various products featuring the Burberry Check Trademark or confusingly similar variants thereof must end," the company says in the lawsuit.

Burberry claims Target has caused customers "to believe mistakenly that the infringing products are either affiliated with, endorsed or authorized by, or somehow connected to Burberry."

"Target’s well-publicized history of collaborating with popular brands and fashion designers to promote and sell Target-exclusive limited-edition collections further heightens the risk of such confusion."

In a statement to USA Today, Target said it has "great respect for design rights," and that "We are aware of the filing by Burberry and hope to address the matter in a reasonable manner."

Burberry has settled similar lawsuits with J.C. Penney and TJX, which owns TJ Maxx, according to the Star Tribune.

Image: Handbags are shown at the Burberry Accessory Shop opening reception to benefit Safe Horizon at Bloomingdales September 4, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by Matthew Peyton/Getty Images)