The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has sued Urban Outfitters for alleged trademark infringement as Free People, a subsidiary of apparel retailer Urban Outfitters is using “Coachella” in the product name or description. These include Free People’s “Coachella Boot,” “Coachella Mini Dress,” “Coachella Pocket Tank” and “Coachella Valley Tunic”.
As per the complaint, Urban Outfitters uses “Coachella” as a keyword to trigger online advertising and in the meta-data on its own website, intentionally misdirecting customers searching for officially branded or licensed merchandise. It also states that as a result of Urban Outfitters’ actions, “a Google search for ‘Coachella clothing’ results in an advertisement for Defendants’ infringing goods”.
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It may be mentioned here that the suit’s full list of alleged offenses include trademark infringement, false designation of origin and unfair competition, dilution, common law tortious interference of contractual relationships, violation of California trademark law and violation of California unfair competition and law.
The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified treble damages and an order demanding Urban Outfitters remove allegedly infringing items from sale, engage in “corrective advertising” and inform customers that the company is not a sponsor or licensee of the music festival.