I wrote about Lululemon earlier this summer when I was on the hunt for efficient workout gear. While checking up on my news today, I was surprised to see headlines that the upscale workout company is suing designer Calvin Klein over their signature yoga pants.
Lululemon’s popular Astropant is the issue at hand. Lululemon claims that Calvin Klein’s new ‘Performance’ pants infringe 3 patents on Lulu’s own Astropant including the waistband design. Calvin Klein is selling their pants at a fraction of the cost, rivaling Lulu’s pricy $98 pants.
Check out Lulu’s Astro Pants (right) and Calvin’s Performance Pants (left) below. Look pretty similar to me…
I think this is definitely quite a case – I think Calvin Klein could be paying quite a bit for these similarities.
Lovelies, do you think Lululemon has a case? Are these pants too similar?
guest
Ridiculous. They are yoga pants. There is only so much you can do with a pair of yoga pants. It’s not like they look unique. Are they going to sew Wal*Mart and Target because they continue to sell their versions of the same yoga pants that they’ve been selling since 1999?
guest
No. They’re yoga pants. I could understand suing over a bag or a pair of shoes, but yoga pants essentially look the same no matter where you buy them.
guest
No. Lululemon needs to shut it.
guest
they look pretty similar in terms of the waist band but that depends on what lululemon’s patent is for. If it’s for the actual material ‘technology’ or just the fact that two pieces overlap.
guest
Looks quite different to me.
Look how much shorter the waist band/crotch distance is on the CK’s… also notice that the seam of the lulu’s splits off into a V rather close to the front while the CK’s don’t seem to.
guest
just looking at it you can see the waist bands are different, the rise is different, the way they fit on the leg is different, and the seams in the pants themselves is different.
And with the waist band.. there is clearly no overlapping in the CK pair. The pink and gray bands go around the waist, higher on side and lower on the other showing the black of the pant. On the Lulu one there is distinctive overlapping in the teal (?) at the waist, then the gray band goes all the way around the waist. They are 2 completely different looks.
I don’t think they have a case.. and i sure as heck would not pay $98 for a pair of yoga pants. thats just nuts.
guest
No but where can I get those Calvin Klein pants? I don’t want to purchase $98 for some damn yoga pants. REALLY? Lululemon, why? You charge up the kiester for your pants and NOW you wanna sue some company when you are already getting PAID from folks who are more than willing to spend $68 for a TOP?!
Hell yeah, I am cheap and mad I can purchase some Lululemon. Their running shorts are so awesome!
guest
No.
sunflower / 310 posts
no. yoga pants all look pretty much the same, and these two even manage to look different. Lululemon is being annoying – don’t sell something that basic for $98 and expect people to be willing to buy from you over a cheaper alternative.
orchid / 248 posts
“Check out Lulu’s Astro Pants (right) and Calvin’s Performance Pants (left).”
alright so the right are LuLu Lemon pants but the model is wearing a Calvin Klein top? SUE LULU LEMON FOR USING THEIR TOP!
guest
I should probably buy the cheaper pair while they’re still on shelves then. Probably the opposite of what lululemon wants! woops.
guest
They look different too me. D;
guest
Christ-on-a-stick, Americans love to sue, sue, sue and sue some more. It seems every day I read about yet another American company suing someone else. If you cannot compete, then get out.
sunflower / 297 posts
I think she just messed up the caption
@Trueinnerbeauty -
orchid / 248 posts
@Katherine_the_third@xanga - probably, but it would be much funnier if they sued back
sunflower / 448 posts
Similar. Wouldn’t be an issue if it were a normal knock off (like Walmart). But a brand name like CK is why it’s trouble.
guest
They look remarkably similar. I think the only real differences I can see is color and the shape seems to be affected by the different models’ bodies. Anyone who says “its not a big deal” doesn’t seem to understand how that affects a company that RELIES on their patents and designs to make money.
“Omg big woop Lululemon calm down seriously who cares if they look the same.”
Welp, they do if Calvin Klein starts profiting off of their design. And though they may be pricey, I have a very athletic friend who swears by Lululemon and their gear because it lives up to the price.