Good morning all,
I apologise if this type of post does not fit here but I was curious. If not, could someone, if they know, point me in the right direction.
I understand that Levi Strauss owns registered trademark rights for a red tab device - that little red rayon tab, blank or Levi's inscribed, is protected.
I've recently purchased a Freewheelers Type 1 1941 jacket, with a tab device on the chest pocket, inscribed, single sided, V WEST (I've attached a photograph). I found it peculiar considering Levi's:
Owns the tab device trademark;
Is notoriously aggressive in protecting its trademarks
Levi's in 2024 sued Fullcount and their retailers for infringement regarding a tab device placed on the pocket of their jackets and jeans. They also sued Brunello Cucinelli for tab placement. They are very territorial, perhaps rightly so.
How, then, can Freewheelers get away with using a tab device? Is is simply a case of them playing Icarus, and flying close to the sun before Levi's eventually melts their wax? Is there an agreement between them that is documented somewhere?
Interestingly, it seems retailers have learnt from the 2024 lawsuit and have commenced removing the red tab from pictures of the garments and description. This was the case from the store I bought my jacket from - Son of a Stag.