Brooklyn-based Preferred Fragrance Inc. is
being sued by Prada and Summit Entertainment for trademark infringement (LanhamAct).
Preferred Fragrance sees itself as a
creator of “products that combine the same premium quality of a designer
fragrance with affordable pricing and mass availability”. This sounds a lot
like “they make it, we fake it”.
Prada produces Prada Candy, an eau
de perfum that is sold for $82. The knockoff Party Candy can be ordered online
for a mere $3.99. The look and feel of both fragrances are very similar. Prada
has filed its lawsuit in the New York Southern District Court with Judge RonnieAbrams.
Summit Entertainment is also suing
Preferred Fragrance for infringing on it Twilight IP. That lawsuit was filed in theCalifornia Central District Court with Judge Andrew J. Wistrich.
It is not the first time the company has
been sued. In 2008 Estee Lauder Inc. and Clinique Laboratories Inc. filed a lawsuit in the Manhattan federal court for trademark infringement, unfair
competition, false advertising and dilution.
Although Preferred Fragrance has a mere annual
revenue of $5 to 10 million, its parent company International Flavors & FragrancesInc. (NYSE:IFF) has deep pockets, so expect similar lawsuits in the (near) future.
