Canadian Olympic Committee Sues North Face for Misleading Customers

An Accused North Face Product

Canadian news is reporting that the Canadian Olympic Committee (the "COC") is suing apparel maker The North Face, alleging that it infringed upon the Olympic trademarks and attempted to mislead customers into believing that it had sponsored the games, when it hasn't.

The lawsuit, which was recently filed in British Columbia, formally alleges that the North Face sold jackets and bags adorned with the maple leaf and "RU/14", which the COC alleges is a reference to Russia and the 2014 Sochi Games, while others featured "2.7.14", an alleged reference to the date of this week's opening ceremonies.  Further, the lawsuit alleges that some of the items were identified with such names as "Men's Sochi Full Zip Hoodie."

The lawsuit claims that the COC had warned the North Face about its concerns on multiple occasions, but that the warnings went largely unheeded.  

The North Face apparently responded by saying:  "[W]e are not an official sponsor of the COC or Team Canada and never indicated we were.  We do not agree with the COC's claims and we are disappointed they have taken this action."

The COC has been accused of overzealously protecting its brand. For example, in 2004, the COC launched a high-profile battle to force the Olympia Pizza and Pasta Restaurant in Vancouver to remove signs that featured the Olympic rings and torch. The restaurant owner defied the committee's demand, and the signage apparently still remains in place today.

Egyptian Olympians Sporting Counterfeit Uniforms

The Huffington Post is reporting that Egypt, in understandably dire economic straits given its recent political upheaval, chose to save some money by purchasing its London 2012 Olympic uniforms from a Chinese supplier.


That regrettable decision has led to the Egyptian Olympians being decked out in wholly counterfeit apparel that display both fake Nike and adidas logos.


Nike has brought the issue to the team's attention, and has raised valid safety and quality concerns about the counterfeit apparel.

Kate Middleton's Family Website Examined for Compliance by Olympics

 Screenshot of PartyPieces.co.uk

In a stark reminder of just how seriously brand protection is being taken by London Olympics officials, even the party products website managed by the family of Kate Middleton is being scrutinized to ensure compliance with extremely strict branding guidelines, according to Time magazine.

The Middleton family's website, PartyPieces.co.uk, is advertising party goods under the heading “Let the Games Begin” and even had a ring toss game in the Olympic colors.

An official on behalf of the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) said of the Middleton's website: “There are no infringements and the products are fine.  We will ask them to make minor changes to some copy.’’

Olympic enforcement officers have begun patrolling venues throughout the UK to ensure traders are not illegally associating themselves with the games.

A LOCOG spokeswoman reportedly said: “We will act if there is a commercial tie-in in any way.  We will ring and explain the obligations and most times this dialogue is friendly, people are usually doing it to be part of the fun, but companies are not allowed to promote an association with the Games if they are not a sponsor.”

Congressional "Outrage" Over Chinese-Made Ralph Lauren Uniforms?

American politicians, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), expressed "disgust" and "outrage" that Ralph Lauren's sartorial donation to the 2012 Olympics were made in China, and demanded that the uniforms be "burned."

But where is Congress's disgust and outrage about this alarming trend?

I would also point out that Ralph Lauren is one of America's iconic and most successful designers, who has done more for promoting American fashion and supporting the American Olympic team, than all of Congress combined.