L.A. Triumph filed a lawsuit
against the pop superstar in the California Central District court on Thursday,
just two weeks after the Madonna line went on sale in US department store chain
Macy's. The company said in its suit that it has been "continually selling
similar clothes in similar retail outlets at similar price points under their
Material Girl brand since at least 1997, and Madonna and her newfound company
do not have the right to trade in the same space under this brand."
Madonna teamed up with her 13 year-old daughter Lourdes to design the 1980s
inspired clothing line, which borrows from the pop star's punk-girl style when
she rose to fame in the 1980s and earned the moniker, material girl.
"Gossip Girl" star Taylor Momsen is the face of the brand. L.A. Triumph
wants the judge to rule that Madonna's use of "Material Girl" creates
"deception" in the marketplace. It is also asking for Madonna and her
company to turn over all the profits from their line. Macy's on Friday declined
to comment on the litigation. Madonna's spokeswoman could not immediately be
reached.
