UPDATE 1-Levi Strauss settles lawsuit against Italy’s Brunello Cucinelli over trademarked tab

(Adds Levi Strauss confirming settlement, paragraphs 1-2, 4)

By Jonathan Stempel

May 7 (Reuters) – Levi Strauss has settled its lawsuit accusing the Italian luxury fashion brand Brunello Cucinelli of infringing its familiar, trademarked rectangular pocket tab.

The settlement was confirmed by Levi, after the company notified a federal judge in Oakland, California on Tuesday that it was dismissing the case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be brought again.

Levi accused Brunello Cucinelli of selling clothing that contained “nearly identical” copies of its tab, which the retailer of denim and other clothing trademarked in 1938, and provided 14 photos illustrating the alleged infringement.

Settlement talks began shortly after Levi sued in January. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed. Levi brands also include Dockers and Beyond Yoga.

A Brunello Cucinelli spokeswoman had no immediate comment.

Based in San Francisco, Levi has in recent years filed several lawsuits to protect its tabs, saying the sale of infringing products would confuse consumers and cause irreparable damage to its goodwill.

Levi has also settled similar lawsuits against Kering’s Yves Saint Laurent and LVMH’s Kenzo.

The case is Levi Strauss & Co v Brunello Cucinelli USA Inc et al, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 24-00399. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Additional reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington, D.C.; Editing by Bill Berkrot)

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