Playboy isn’t playing

It has emerged this week that Playboy Enterprises, Inc (Playboy) has filed a lawsuit against US based fast fashion retailer, Fashion Nova, in the US District Court for the Central District of California.

The lawsuit relates to Playboys’ infamous bunny costume that is synonymous with the brand. The bunny costume was designed by Zelda Wynn Valdes and was first debuted in 1960 at the opening of the first Playboy club in Chicago; it was worn by waitresses, or rather “Bunnies”, who would be selected to work at the club after a series of auditions. The bunny costume was the first service uniform registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Playboy has now taken action against Fashion Nova after they released a line of bunny costumes in time for Halloween. Playboy claims that Fashion Nova are attempting to “piggy back” off the popularity of the Playboy bunny costume and has asked it to cease and desist from selling the costume. As of yet, Fashion Nova’s version of the bunny costume, which comes with cuffs, collar, bowtie, corset, bunny ears and tail, is still available online.

Playboy takes the protection of its brand seriously so it will be interesting to see how this matter plays out and whether Fashion Nova will remove the costume from sale.

If you have any questions on the above, please do not hesitate to contact the team at McDaniels Law on 0191 281 4000 or legal@mcdanielslaw.com.