Monsoon sues Primark for 'copying' clothes

Fashion chain Monsoon today said it was taking legal action against rival clothing chain Primark for allegedly copying its products.

Monsoon said it had issued High Court legal proceedings against the high street discounter for infringing its design rights over six different women’s and children’s items.

The products that Monsoon claimed were involved included its Zigzag linen skirt, a curved panelled skirt, the group’s tropical floral print swimwear, girls’ corduroy trousers, children’s striped scarf and poodle and heart socks.

Although Primark has removed the goods from sale, the “continuing copying” was “clearly unacceptable”, Monsoon said.

It said it was seeking appropriate damages from Primark and a commitment from the company not to repeat the actions.

In May last year, Primark agreed to pay Monsoon £23,000 (€33,600) in a settlement relating to garments sold by the former that appeared to be copies of Monsoon Girl’s Brittany top and a butterfly dress, Monsoon said.

Since then, Monsoon had repeatedly complained to Primark about design rights infringements, it said.

Monsoon chief executive Rose Foster said Monsoon and Accessorize were strong brands with a distinctive identity of which it was very proud.

“We take any infringement of our design and copyright very seriously,” she said.

A spokesman for Primark, which is owned by Associated British Foods, said the company was not commenting on the matter.

In January, Monsoon said it had overcome tough trading conditions on the high street to post a 32% rise in first half profits to £27.8m (€40.7m).

The group, which also owns Accessorize, said demand for ponchos and accessories such as big bangles and necklaces had contributed to the record performance by its autumn and winter ranges.

The Christmas sales boost came despite recent claims that festive trading was the worst in a decade for retailers.

Results for the year to May 28 are to be published in July.