Latest news with #215
The Star
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Fashion dupes are everywhere – but are they crossing the legal line?
Fashion "dupes', or less expensive versions of high-end clothing and other accessories, are just about everywhere these days. They're also drawing some businesses into legal battles. In the latest example, Lululemon slapped a lawsuit against Costco on Friday (June 27), accusing the wholesale club operator of selling lower-priced duplicates of some of its popular athleisure apparel. Across the retail industry, it's far from a new phenomenon. But social media is pushing the culture of online dupe shopping to new heights as influencers direct their followers to where they can buy the knockoffs. Want a taste of Hermes' US$1,000 (approximately RM4,215) fuzzy slippers? Target has a version for US$15 (RM63). Looking for a US$2,800 (RM11,800) Bottega Veneta hobo bag? There's a version for US$99 (RM417) on online clothing and accessories upstart Quince, which has become a go-to for fashionistas. It's not even the first time Lululemon has encountered what it says are knockoffs of its clothing, which often carry steep price tags of over US$100 (RM421) each for leggings and sporty zip-ups. Without specifying additional sellers beyond Costco in Friday's (June 27) complaint, Lululemon noted that a handful companies have "replicated or copied' its apparel to sell cheaper offerings – including those popularised online through hashtags like "LululemonDupes' on TikTok and other social media platforms. For years, companies have rolled out a range of cheaper option for consumers to buy instead of pricey name-brands or designer labels – often through retailers' house or generic brands. Read more: Turmoil or not, luxury fashion can't afford to ignore the Middle East region Unlike more direct copies of the product with an unauthorised trademark or logo of a patented brand, "pure' dupes that just resemble certain features are generally legitimate. They can even spark awareness of the original items. But the rising frenzy for dupes, particularly in the fashion space, signals that many shoppers want a taste of luxury, but no longer want to pay for (or care about) getting the real thing. Late last year, for example, discount chain Walmart created a buzz when it started selling a leather bag online that resembled Hermes' coveted Birkin bag. The US$78 (RM329) item – sold by Kamugo, which doesn't appear to have its own website – was a fraction of the price of the original, which goes from US$9,000 (RM37,930) to hundreds of thousands of dollars on resale and auction sites. Influencers labelled the leather bag a "wirkin'. Other suppliers including BestSPR, YMTQ and Judy were listed on Walmart's site selling similar totes. While popular among shoppers, these kind of look-alikes can frustrate the targeted companies. Following the viral fame of the "wirkin', Hermes executive chairman Axel Dumas shared his annoyance, for example. "Making a copy like this is quite detestable,' Dumas said in a corporate earnings call in February. Still, he acknowledged that it was "quite touching' to see so many consumers want a bag with the Birkin style – and that "difference in quality' was still evident, noting that nobody bought the dupe thinking it was from Hermes. Alexandra Roberts, a professor of law and media at Northeastern University, said that "the term 'dupe' itself doesn't tell us much about legality", noting the word has also been used to describe more traditional counterfeits. But overall, dupes can move into shaky legal territory, including copyright and trademark infringement, particularly if a dupe marketer makes false claims about the duplicate or the original. "With fashion, in particular, we're going to get into some thorny questions," Roberts said. That includes what intellectual property rights exist and how enforceable they are, she explained, and whether there is actual infringement or if a product is just "positioning itself as a less expensive alternative'. Often such disputes boil down trademark questions around consumer confusion or patented product designs. Several businesses have already put this to the test, but not always successfully. In December, for example, Benefit lost a lawsuit in California over Elf's US$6 (RM25) Lash 'N Roll mascara, which is similar to Benefit's US$29 (RM122) Roller Lash mascara. The judge's decision was "a resounding win for us', Elf CEO Tarang Amin previously said. "The basic reality is we always put our E.l.f. twist on it,' he said. "It's an E.l.f. product that's a much better value.' In its lawsuit, Lululemon argued that Costco had "unlawfully traded' on Lululemon's reputation and that it was suing as part of wider intellectual property enforcement "directed to retailers who have chosen to copy rather than compete.' Lululemon accuses Costco of making duplicates of several products, including its popular Scuba hoodies, Define jackets and ABC pants. Lululemon says one of the duplicates that Costco sells is the Hi-Tec Men's Scuba Full Zip, with the lawsuit showing a screenshot image of Costco's website showing the item priced at US$19.97 (RM84). Roberts said she was "a little skeptical' of some of Lululemon's claims, noting that the design patents in particular could be hard to challenge. And she pointed to Lululemon's asserting common law trade dress over a "triangle kind of shape in the crotch region' of the ABC pants. "My first reaction as a trademark expert is that looks pretty functional,' she said, and functional matter is not protected under trademark law. "I was just cracking up because that particular claim seemed really far-fetched to me. Those pants look really basic." Still, Roberts noted that Lululemon had some plausible claims. Read more: Why is Jonathan Anderson's first Dior show at Paris Fashion Week so significant? Lululemon alleges that Costco is known to use manufacturers of popular branded products for its private label Kirkland brand, although the companies involved don't clearly reveal that information to customers. Due to this, Lululemon claims some shoppers may believe that Kirkland-branded products are made by the authentic supplier of the "original' products. Roberts said this could rule in Lululemon's favour as something that "weighs toward consumer confusion'. Still, she noted that most of the products Lululemon mentioned in its complaint weren't sold under the Kirkland brand, which could undermine the argument. A message was left Tuesday (July 1) seeking comment from Costco on the lawsuit. Lululemon found itself in a similar dispute with Peloton in 2021, when it sued the exercise bike company over alleged "copycat products' in its then-new clothing lines. Two years later, the companies announced a five-year partnership that included Lululemon becoming the primary athletic apparel partner to Peloton. – AP
Pink Villa
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Sakamoto Days Chapter 215: Takamura Awakens As Shin Runs Away—Recap, Release Date, Where To Read And More
The last Sakamoto Days chapter, titled 'Lost Child,' opened with civilians and media reacting to Japan's firearms suddenly becoming non-functional. X confronts Shin about the sabotage. Though Shin doesn't know Seba was responsible, he implies Sakamoto's group might be. X then attacks using a sword that morphs into a scorpion-whip. Remembering Nagumo's advice, Shin avoids emitting bloodlust to prevent awakening Takamura. He ejects both of them from the building using a jet seat, landing in an aquarium. Realising where they are, X hallucinates Rion and hesitates. His Takamura personality then awakens when a shark attacks. Expected plot in Sakamoto Days Chapter 215 Sakamoto Days Chapter 215 will likely continue with Shin facing the Takamura identity within X. Since Takamura hasn't attacked immediately, Shin may have a brief window to escape without provoking him. The chapter will likely depict Shin avoiding bloodlust while seeking safety. Sakamoto may also reappear, attempting to extract Shin. The setting in the aquarium will likely become a factor during the encounter, either obstructing or aiding escape efforts depending on Takamura's reaction. Boiled, Heisuke, or Asakura may still make a miraculous return. Sakamoto Days Chapter 215: Release date and where to stream Sakamoto Days Chapter 215 will be released in Japan on Monday, June 2, 2025, at midnight JST. International readers can expect it on June 1, with release times around 3 pm GMT / 7 am PT / 10 am ET, though this may vary by location. Sakamoto Days Chapter 215 can be read on Viz Media's website, MANGAPlus, and the Shonen Jump+ app. Free access is available on Viz Media and MANGAPlus, while a subscription is required for Shonen Jump+. It will also appear in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 27. For more updates from the Sakamoto Days manga, keep an eye on Pinkvilla.
IOL News
24-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
First-time buyers dominate South African property market in 2025
First-time buyers now account for 72.71% of the South African property market, reflecting increased confidence and favourable conditions for new entrants in 2025. First-time buyers now make up 72.71% of the market – an increase from 71.34% the year before – suggesting growing confidence among new entrants, according to the latest home loan stats released by MyProperty Home Loans. The statistics, comparing March 2024 to March 2025, and the results point to significant changes in the South African property landscape. The stats reveal that most notably, despite financial pressure stemming from the March National Budget, there were also some wins for homebuyers. The stats show that one of the more positive developments was the increase in the transfer duty exemption threshold. This, coupled with a reduced interest rate and zero transfer duty on properties priced below R1.2 million, has created a more favourable environment for first-time buyers compared to the same time last year. According to the data, the average purchase price for first-time buyers has risen slightly from R1,188,663 to R1,215,522. Meanwhile, the average bond amount approved jumped significantly from R1,029,192 to R1,567,694. At the same time, the average deposit required across all buyer categories also saw a sharp increase, rising from R159,471 to R352, figures align with broader market shifts. The average age of first-time buyers now sits at 39, highlighting a trend towards older South Africans entering the property market for the first time – possibly a result of extended financial constraints or a shift in life planning priorities. Another encouraging sign for buyers is the prime lending rate, which decreased from 11.75% to 11%, offering some relief on monthly repayments. Additionally, bond approval rates by applicants' banks edged up slightly, from 52.24% to 52.61%, pointing to a marginally more favourable lending climate. 'The data reflects a resilient property market with first-time buyers leading the charge,' said Michael-Anne Abrahams of MyProperty Home Loans. 'With improved lending conditions and increased consumer confidence, now is an opportune time for prospective homeowners to enter the market". With more supportive policies and shifting buyer demographics, 2025 may shape up to be a pivotal year for property in South Africa. PERSONAL FINANCE
