H&M Is Going After Forever 21 for Copying a Lame Tote Bag Design

H&M claims Forever 21 ripped off one of its summer bag designs.

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Complex Original

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H&M is known for its affordable interpretations of high-end runway trends, which is also known as copying. So when the Swedish fast-fashion brand filed a lawsuit against Forever 21 this summer, many were shocked to find out it was for copyright infringement.

Cue the collective LOL.

According to The Fashion Law, H&M claims Forever 21 ripped off one of its shitty tote bag designs, which features a row of palm trees with “Beach Please" written across the front. The lawsuit, filed in a New York federal court, states the bag was released at H&M stores in April of last year, and for some bizarre reason was “well received by consumers because of its distinctive design.” The brand also claims that the product has a “secondary meaning in that H&M is recognized as the original source of the tote bags."

The irony of this situation is almost too much to handle. But it doesn’t stop there.

In the lawsuit, H&M attempts to defend its argument by pointing out that Forever 21 has “been accused of copyright violations in the past.” Though it’s completely, 100 percent true, this statement makes H&M look like a hypocritical bully, as it has also been sued for copyright infringement in the past.

Regardless of that embarrassing fact, H&M is demanding Forever 21 to stop producing, marketing, and selling the tote, as well as fork over the profits made from the bag.

We can’t wait to see how this story unfolds.

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