In recent years, the streetwear industry has seen a rise in popularity, with new brands emerging left and right. One of these brands is Sprayground, known for their unique and eye-catching backpack designs. However, some have accused the brand of copying luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton.
Sprayground’s backpacks often feature bold and colorful designs, with many featuring a repeating pattern of the brand’s shark logo. However, some have pointed out that this pattern bears a striking resemblance to Louis Vuitton’s classic monogram print.
So, did Sprayground copy Louis Vuitton?
The answer is not so straightforward. While there are certainly similarities between the two brands’ designs, it’s important to note that there are key differences as well.
For one, Louis Vuitton’s monogram print features the iconic LV logo intertwined with floral and diamond shapes. Meanwhile, Sprayground’s shark logo is a completely different design altogether.
Additionally, while both brands use a repeating pattern in their designs, the way they execute this is different as well. Louis Vuitton’s monogram print is often seen on leather goods such as handbags and wallets, whereas Sprayground’s designs are typically printed on polyester backpacks.
Legal issues
Despite these differences, Louis Vuitton did take legal action against Sprayground in 2019. The luxury fashion house filed a lawsuit against the streetwear brand for trademark infringement and dilution.
Louis Vuitton argued that Sprayground’s use of a similar-looking print would cause confusion among consumers and potentially harm their brand reputation. They also claimed that Sprayground was profiting off of their established brand recognition without permission.
In response to the lawsuit, Sprayground founder David Ben-David stated that he was “surprised” by the allegations and maintained that his brand had not intentionally copied Louis Vuitton’s design.
Ultimately, the case was settled out of court, with Sprayground agreeing to stop selling the backpacks in question and paying an undisclosed amount to Louis Vuitton.
Conclusion
So, what can we take away from this situation? While it’s clear that there are similarities between Sprayground’s designs and Louis Vuitton’s monogram print, it’s also important to consider the context in which these designs are used.
While Louis Vuitton’s print has become synonymous with luxury and high-end fashion, Sprayground’s backpacks are marketed towards a different audience altogether. It could be argued that the two brands operate in completely different spheres of the fashion industry.
Regardless of where you stand on this issue, it serves as a reminder that intellectual property and trademark law is an important aspect of the fashion industry. As streetwear continues to grow in popularity, we may see more cases like this arise in the future.