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Ralph Lauren Sued for ''Life Guard'' Shirts?

By IAN MACFARLANE, AOL SMALL BUSINESS
Posted: 2009-08-17 14:28:42
Filed Under: Small Business, Marketing
Ralph Lauren
Getty Images
Against all fashion odds, apparently it's still cool to wear a T-shirt claiming you're employed as someone with special privileges. For years now, teens have sported "Event Staff" shirts to try to get backstage at concerts, "Undercover Cop" shirts to pretend they're packing heat, or "FBI" shirts to claim they're in the Justice Department (or, in most cases, are a "Female Body Inspector" -- seriously).

While those shirts are usually all in good fun, Polo Ralph Lauren is facing a lawsuit for T-shirts and Polo shirts emblazoned with the words "Life Guard." This seemingly innocuous title is actually trademarked by the Lifeguard Licensing Corp. in New York. According to the New York Post, the Lifeguard Licensing Corp. owns "the right to label swimsuits, apparel and accessories with the word, which was first trademarked in 1937."

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    The lawsuit against Polo Ralph Lauren is demanding all profits from the sale of the shirts as well as surrendering the remaining shirts.

    The New York Post also reports that the "company also claims that Polo's action 'has substantially undermined Lifeguard's lucrative license agreements' with the Popularity Products clothing company and The Warnaco Group, which sells 'Speedo' swimwear."

    If Ralph Lauren can get accused of trademark infringement, you can, too. Even though something as simple as "Life Guard" may seem safe to use, make sure before launching any new product that it hasn't already been trademarked by someone else.

    [via New York Post]

    2009-08-14 13:13:00
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    90 comments

    franksdreamland 10:12:19 AM Nov 01 2009

    Report This!

    START A HOMEBASED FLORIST BUSINESS PART TIME- READ MY FREE SEMINAR AT http://homebasedflorist.blogspot.com

    joannefilocco 06:25:30 PM Aug 28 2009

    Report This!

    This generation needs to learn how to spell........and use punctuation and caps properly.

    merrittdrains 04:22:56 PM Aug 28 2009

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    Bunch of B.S.. Life Gurd tademark co. must be really having it hard to sue over b.s like this. I hope they lose there freaking ass off! I should have a buch of t-shirts made that say freedom of speech! so this STUPID idot co. owns the words life guard? last time I looked those words were in the dictionary! THEY SUCK! HOPE THEY LOSE!

    cbcircustim 11:25:52 AM Aug 28 2009

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    Has anyone trade marked the words "dipshit lawyer", or "sleasebag money grubber" yet?

    jerretodd 10:47:23 AM Aug 28 2009

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    Long live the genius Ralph Lauren

    lynpevey 09:10:41 AM Aug 28 2009

    Report This!

    I got hit one time for using GOT MILK!!!!

    ldzave 08:48:16 AM Aug 28 2009

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    mrceo 05:59:52 PM Aug 18 2009 Review the registrations at uspto.gov. Many companies have lifeguard registered for many uses. This company has no case against Ralph Lauren. I'd like to buy a shirt that says "Lifeguard, bite me!"..HAAAAAAAAAAAAA

    wikrizman 12:47:21 AM Aug 25 2009

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    What a joke!

    mcinnisja 04:45:17 AM Aug 23 2009

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    "ralph lauren is the only brandd i wear. im soo ticked off. thats stupid."Talk about stupid...

    icgc 11:19:28 PM Aug 22 2009

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    As a non-professional, I have looked at the trademark registrations for Lifeguard Licensing Corp.. As I see it, they own rights to a STYALIZED lettering of "LIFE GUARD" as it appears in a drawing when placed on various garments. They also own rights to the basic word "LIFEGUARD" applied to such garments. I don't see them as owning rights to the term "Life Guard" in any form other than the styalized lettering of their 1937 registration. Thus, Ralph Loren should win this lawsuit (IMHO).

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