Gucci Escalates Legal Action Against Lord & Taylor over Counterfeits
Gucci American, Inc. is requesting a court order to hold Lord & Taylor Ecomm LLC in civil contempt for “flat-out ignor[ing] a court order and subsequent notifications” to turn over counterfeit Gucci products currently in its possession.[1] The luxury house’s American subsidiary initiated a $14 million counterfeiting lawsuit against Lord & Taylor in 2023, claiming that the retailer sold handbags, shoes, and belts displaying counterfeit versions of its “famous GUCCI trademark and related iconic design marks.”[2] Lord & Taylor responded to Gucci’s original complaint and abided by a court order allowing Gucci to examine all of the suspected counterfeit accessories.[3] After Gucci determined that the products were counterfeit, Lord & Taylor reportedly ignored the brand’s subsequent discovery requests.[4] Consequently, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York entered a default judgment in Gucci’s favor in August 2024.[5] The court order found Lord & Taylor liable for trademark infringement, counterfeiting, and dilution.[6] The court then issued a permanent injunction barring Lord & Taylor from selling counterfeit Gucci products.[7] Lord & Taylor was also mandated by the court to turn over all counterfeit items to Gucci to impounded or destroyed.[8]
In a memo filed with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on February 6, 2025, Gucci argues that due to Lord & Taylor’s consistent failure to comply with court orders or deadlines, the retailer will likely continue to ignore further court orders.[9] Gucci is accordingly requesting court action directing the U.S. Marshals Service or other law enforcement agents to seize and deliver all of the counterfeit products.[10] Gucci is also seeking sanctions against Lord & Taylor for civil contempt. The memo cites A.V. by Versace, Inc. v. Gianni Versace, S.p.A., arguing that “evidence of noncompliance by Lord & Taylor is clear and convincing” and that Lord & Taylor has “failed to act with reasonable diligence.”[11]
This legal action reflects Gucci’s broader efforts to defend the brand’s integrity against counterfeit products and strategically enhance its position in the luxury market following recent leadership changes within the fashion house.[12] In a statement provided to Fashion Network, Gucci reiterated its “commit[ment] to protecting its customers from retailers profiting from the sale of counterfeit goods.”[13] As part of its evolving brand strategy, Gucci has not only pursued legal actions against counterfeit sales but also “been engaged . . . in a significant restructuring of its sales network, particularly streamlining its reseller channel. Its products are now primarily marketed through its own boutiques and a select group of authorized retailers.”[14]
The legal battle against Gucci escalates Lord & Taylor’s ongoing struggles following its bankruptcy filing in 2020.[15] The retailer was briefly reestablished as an online entity in 2021 by the Sadia Group until the investment firm defaulted on over $45 million in debt.[16] As Lord & Taylor transitions under new ownership by Regal Brands Goal, which purchased the brand’s intellectual property in September 2024, the department store is expected to relaunch as an online discount luxury platform in 2025.[17]
Footnotes
