The federal jury deliberating allegations that Forever 21 knowingly copied the designs of Trovata told a judge Tuesday that it was deadlocked. Judge James V. Selna disclosed in U.S. District Court here that he received a note from the panel expressing concern that one juror was incorrectly applying the law, as well as a perception of misconduct. He did not provide details, but said, "It's dangerous business starting to look for misconduct."

Selna said the jury of six men and two women had asked for legal clarifications. The jurors will return today in an effort to work out their differences and avoid a potential mistrial. They began deliberating on Friday.

The outcome of the case may clarify intellectual property rights in an era when knockoffs of runway looks often appear in specialty chains before designers’ original versions hit stores. The jury is considering whether the cheap chic retailer produced near-identical copies of pieces worn on the runway or published in magazines — in one instance with labels inside a hoodie that were unique to Trovata.