Peloton takes legal action to defend own brand clothing line

Peloton is taking legal action against Lululemon in defense of its own brand apparel.

Lululemon, the legging and apparel manufacturer, threatened to take legal action against Peloton for the interactive fitness equipment company’s own brand apparel, alleging trademark infringement. Peloton is asking a judge to declare that the company has not infringed on any of Lululemon’s trademarks.

Peloton’s own brand clothing collection, released in the fall of this year, features performance items in men’s, women’s and gender-neutral styles utilizing different fabrics for different functions. Peloton first began selling apparel in 2014, having historically dropped seasonal and cultural collections in collaboration with a number of brand partners. 

Earlier this month, Lululemon’s legal team sent a note to Peloton saying the company would sue unless Peloton stopped selling its new private brand clothing. The company argued that Peloton’s “strappy bra, high neck bra, cadent peak bra, cadent laser dot bra and cadent laser dot leggings” infringed on Lululemon’s patent designs.

"At Lululemon we are known for our product innovation and iconic design," the brand said in a statement on Nov. 26. "We will defend our proprietary rights, to protect the integrity of our brand, and to safeguard our intellectual property."

In response, Peloton filed a suit in Manhattan Federal Court on Nov. 24, arguing that its own merchandise is easily distinguishable from Lululemon’s. Peloton is asking for the court to declare that the company’s new items have not infringed on any of Lululemon’s trademarks.

“On top of the numerous clear and obvious differences in design, Peloton and Lululemon’s brands and logos are also distinctive and well-recognized, making confusion between products a virtual impossibility,” Peloton said in the lawsuit.