Forever 21 and Trovata Settle Lawsuit Just Before Second Trial to Start
One day before a second expensive trial was to start, Forever and Trovata came to a settlement of the case. The terms are confidential. Trovata sued Forever 21 and alleged that it had ripped off seven of its distinctive designs. The first trial ended in a mistrial WWD reports:
The two parties issued a joint statement through their lawyers late Friday, reading: "Trovata, Inc. and Forever 21, Inc., Forever 21 Retail, Inc., and Forever 21 Logistics, LLC had been involved in litigation with each other for the last two years. All companies have recently resolved their differences to their mutual satisfaction, without any admission as to liability, and the action has been dismissed. The terms of settlement are confidential."
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The first trial was significant in that it was the first time Forever 21 faced an actual jury, after being sued more than 50 times in alleged design infringement cases over the past four years. The retailer had settled all those cases out of court, as it did again in this instance.
So what does it all mean? Let us translate. Trovata isn't allowed to talk about the case. Forever 21 won't be using Trovata as "inspiration" for any future designs. Forever 21 wrote a whopping big check to Trovata. And fast fashion stores will continue to do business as usual -- for now.
