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R and A Synergy v. Spanx - Complaint
R and A Synergy v. Spanx - Complaint
COMPLAINT
Case 2:17-cv-09147-SVW-AS Document 1 Filed 12/21/17 Page 2 of 32 Page ID #:2
1 Plaintiff R and A Synergy, LLC, by and through its counsel, Avyno Law
2 P.C., for its complaint against Defendant Spanx, Inc., alleges as follows:
3
4 PARTIES
5 1. Plaintiff R and A Synergy, LLC (“Plaintiff R and A”) is a California
6 limited liability corporation with its principal place of business in Los Angeles
7 County, CA. Plaintiff R and A is engaged in the development and sales of slip-on
8 sleeves made to wear under sleeveless and strapless dresses and has made, sold
9 and/or licensed such products for sale since December 2011.
10 2. Defendant Spanx, Inc. (“Defendant Spanx”) is a Georgia corporation,
11 with its principal place of business at 3035 Peachtree Road, Suite 200, Atlanta,
12 Georgia 30305. Defendant Spanx manufactures and sells undergarments and
13 clothing, targeted primarily to women, in the categories of leggings, tops, active
14 wear, shapewear, bras, panties and hosiery.
15 3. Defendant Spanx is a corporation domiciled in Georgia, organized
16 under the laws of that state, and maintains its principal business office in Georgia.
17 Defendant Spanx maintains two retail stores in the Los Angeles area. One retail
18 store is located at 395 Santa Monica Place #102, Santa Monica, CA 90401. The
19
other retail store is located in the Los Angeles International Airport, Terminal 2,
20
200 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Plaintiff R and A further alleges that
Defendant Spanx has committed the various acts (alleged below) which were
21
expressly aimed at Plaintiff R and A, a California domiciliary, and that jurisdiction
22
over Defendant Spanx is further established by: (1) their purposeful activities or
23
transactions with California, or residents thereof, by which they purposefully avail
24
themselves of the privilege of conducting activities in this forum; (2) the fact that
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the claims alleged herein arise out of or relate to their forum-related activities; and
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(3) the fact that the exercise of jurisdiction is reasonable, or comports with fair play
27
and substantial justice.
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2
COMPLAINT
Case 2:17-cv-09147-SVW-AS Document 1 Filed 12/21/17 Page 3 of 32 Page ID #:3
16 Spanx as it conducts continuous, systematic, and routine business within the State
18 7. Venue is proper in the United States District Court for the Central
19
District of California pursuant to U.S.C. Sections 1391(b) and 1391(c) because a
20
substantial part of the events giving rise to the claims occurred in this District.
21
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
22
8. Plaintiff R and A is engaged in the development and sales of slip-on
23
sleeves made to wear under sleeveless and strapless dresses (“under sleeves”) and
24
has made, sold and/or licensed such under sleeves for sale, continuously and
25
without interruption since December 2011.
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9. In 2008, Ruthann Greenblat, CEO and shareholder of Plaintiff R and
27
A, conceived of the unique idea to create a sleeved garment specifically designed
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3
COMPLAINT
Case 2:17-cv-09147-SVW-AS Document 1 Filed 12/21/17 Page 4 of 32 Page ID #:4
1 as a layering piece to wear under sleeveless and strapless tops and dresses
2 (“outergarment”).
3 10. From 2008-2011, Plaintiff R and A focused its efforts on research,
4 design and development of its under sleeves product line, spending a great amount
5 of time and resources building its business, protecting and developing its
6 intellectual property and designing its product line.
7 11. On February 20, 2009, Plaintiff R and A filed a trademark application
8 for the mark SLEEVEY WONDERS, which federally registered as US 3,890,712.
9 12. Commencing in 2009, Plaintiff R and A also began filing a series of
10 utility and design patents covering certain under sleeve styles, many of which have
11 since issued and several of which are still pending.
12 13. Figures 31-35 of US Patent No. 8,365,313, filed on February 3, 2010,
13 with a priority date of February 3, 2009, show renderings of Plaintiff R and A’s
14 conception of slip-on sleeves made to wear under sleeveless and strapless tops and
15 dresses that give the appearance of being part of the outer garment with which they
16 are worn. Exhibit A is a true and correct copy of US Patent No. 8,365,313.
17 14. On December 15, 2011, Plaintiff R and A launched its first website
18 offering under sleeves for sale under the brand name SLEEVEY WONDERS
19
(“Sleevey Website”). The SLEEVEY WONDERS under sleeves were advertised
20
on the Sleevey Website (www.sleeveywonders.com), as shown on Exhibit B,
which website has been marked with copyright notices since its original launch.
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15. Prior to the launch of the SLEEVEY WONDERS under sleeves, no
22
category of garment existed for slip-on sleeves made to wear under sleeveless and
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strapless tops and dresses that give the appearance of being part of the
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outergarment with which they are worn.
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16. The same subject matter that appeared on the Sleevey Website also
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appeared on the hangtags sold with all SLEEVEY WONDERS products (“Sleevey
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Hangtag”). A true and correct copy of the Sleevey Hangtag is set forth on Exhibit
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C.
4
COMPLAINT
Case 2:17-cv-09147-SVW-AS Document 1 Filed 12/21/17 Page 5 of 32 Page ID #:5
22
23. Since December 15, 2011, Plaintiff R&A’s SLEEVEY WONDERS
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brand has used the tagline, “Beautify your arms & expand your wardrobe ...” on
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the Sleevey Website and on the Sleevey Hangtag.
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24. For at least the last four years, Plaintiff R and A has marketed its
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product using the tag-line, “Made in the USA, with love.” True and correct copies
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of the use of the tag-line can be found at Exhibit E.
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25. Commencing in December 2011, Plaintiff R and A marketed its
SLEEVEY WONDERS’ under sleeves on both the Sleevey Website and Sleevey
5
COMPLAINT
Case 2:17-cv-09147-SVW-AS Document 1 Filed 12/21/17 Page 6 of 32 Page ID #:6
1 Hangtag as a product: (i) “to wear UNDER all your sleeveless & strapless tops &
2 dresses;” and (ii) “magically transforming your outfit into something NEW!;” and
3 (iii) to “expand your wardrobe.”
4 26. In addition to manufacturing and selling SLEEVEY WONDERS’
5 under sleeves, Plaintiff R and A also entered into a license agreement in November
6 2012 with Magic Tap LLC (“Magic Tap”), which licensed Plaintiff R and A’s
7 under sleeves on a non-exclusive basis for sale under the brand SLEEVEY
8 MAGIC.
9 27. On December 19, 2012, Plaintiff R and A filed a trademark
10 application for the mark SLEEVEY MAGIC, which federally registered on April
11 8, 2014 as US 4,511,938, in connection with women’s tops and foundation
12 garments.
13 28. Magic Tap, under license from Plaintiff R and A, sold thousands of
14 under sleeves under the trademark SLEEVEY MAGIC until its license terminated
15 in 2015. Magic Tap advertised and sold the SLEEVEY MAGIC under sleeves
16 through a direct TV site, through YouTube channels, on its website and through
17 retail stores, including but not limited to, Walgreens.
18 29. The under sleeves sold under the trademark SLEEVEY MAGIC and
19 SLEEVEY WONDERS were identical. Both products are made of a nylon and
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spandex blend.
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30. The SLEEVEY WONDERS under sleeves are light weight, sheer,
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form fitted sleeved garments that fit snuggly around the arms of the wearer and
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that, when worn under a sleeveless outer garment, give the appearance of the
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sleeveless over garment having sleeves, thereby creating a new look and allowing
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women to wear sleeveless outer garments year round.
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31. Ruthann Greenblat, Plaintiff R and A’s CEO, designed the under
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sleeves using fabrics of different ornamental appearance to create different looks.
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6
COMPLAINT
Case 2:17-cv-09147-SVW-AS Document 1 Filed 12/21/17 Page 7 of 32 Page ID #:7
1 The SLEEVEY WONDERS under sleeves were designed and are sold in mesh,
2 lace, dotted mesh, jersey and fishnet.
3 32. Ruthann Greenblat also designed and Plaintiff R and A sells several
4 different styles of under sleeves, including basic, bell, bandeau, flutter, waterfall,
5 halter, shirred, tunic and trellis.
6 33. The SLEEVEY WONDERS under sleeves of various ornamental
7 styles is also designed and sold in a variety of colors including black, white, grey,
8 coral, pink, mint, cobalt blue, periwinkle blue, apple green, olive green, forest
9 green, navy, red, silver, turquoise, eggplant, brown and off-white. Exhibit F is a
10 true and correct copy of the various styles of under sleeves product sold under the
11 brand name SLEEVEY WONDERS.
12 34. Plaintiff R and A markets and sells it’s under sleeves showing the
13 under sleeves on a mannequin next to a person wearing the under sleeves under a
14 sleeveless or strapless dress or top.
15 35. Plaintiff R and A also markets and sells its SLEEVEY WONDERS
16 under sleeves products by photographing a person wearing a sleeveless dress or top
17 without the undersleeves next to a photograph of a person wearing SLEEVEY
18 WONDERS under sleeves under various styles of sleeveless dresses or tops.
19 36. Plaintiff R and A maintains a webpage, an Instagram account and a
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Facebook page. Plaintiff R and A has maintained a website continuously and
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without interruption since December 15, 2011, maintained its Instagram account
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continuously and without interruption since 2013 and maintained its Facebook
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Page continuously and without interruption since 2012.
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37. Plaintiff R and A further engages the services of independent
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marketing and sales consultants in the US and foreign jurisdictions that have been
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responsible for marketing, selling and placing the SLEEVEY WONDERS under
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sleeves products in retail stores and boutiques across the United States. Such
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7
COMPLAINT
Case 2:17-cv-09147-SVW-AS Document 1 Filed 12/21/17 Page 8 of 32 Page ID #:8
1 independent marketing and sales consultants have further been responsible for the
2 placement of SLEEVEY WONDERS under sleeves in various catalogs.
3 38. Since December 2011, Plaintiff R and A participated in numerous
4 tradeshows, including but not limited to the following nationally and
5 internationally recognized trade shows: WWIN Las Vegas, Atlanta Gift and
6 Atlanta Fashion, Dallas World Trade Center, MODA NY, NEAC, Metro, and
7 TRENDS.
8 39. In addition to its sales on the Sleevey Website, SLEEVEY
9 WONDERS under sleeves products are sold in at least 1500 retail stores across the
10 United States and Canada, as well as stores in Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
11 40. Since its inception, Plaintiff R and A has generated over 5.8 million
12 dollars in revenue from the sales of under sleeves product through its website, to its
13 retailers and distributors and through its licensees.
14 41. The SLEEVEY WONDERS under sleeves have been worn by the
15 following celebrities and/or received national recognition in the following ways: (i)
16 SLEEVEY WONDERS basic mesh under sleeves are worn by Lily Tomlin on
17 Grace & Frankie, a Netflix original; (ii) SLEEVEY WONDERS under sleeves
18 worn by Jane Fonda; (iii) featured in A Cup of Frosting blog; (iv) featured in LA
19 Times Travel, (v) featured in O, The Oprah Magazine; (vi) featured in Curvy
20
Magazine; (vii) featured in First Magazine; and (viii) featured in Huffington Post
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as #2 Must Have Travel Accessory in an article featuring 30 Must have Travel
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Accessories for 2015.
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42. On May 15, 2013, Jillian Doyle, Assistant to Sara Blakely, CEO of
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Defendant Spanx, ordered two SLEEVEY WONDERS under sleeves from
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Plaintiff R and A for Lisa Magazine, Executive Assistant to Sara Blakely. The two
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under sleeves were shipped directly to Defendant Spanx’s headquarters in Georgia.
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Plaintiff R and A sent one basic ¾ length black lace product and basic ¾ length
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ivory mesh product to Defendant Spanx’s headquarters in fulfillment of the order.
8
COMPLAINT
Case 2:17-cv-09147-SVW-AS Document 1 Filed 12/21/17 Page 9 of 32 Page ID #:9
1 Exhibit G attached hereto is a true and correct copy of the receipt sent to
2 Defendant Spanx in 2013 with the order.
3 43. The SLEEVEY WONDERS under sleeves shipped to Defendant
4 Spanx’s headquarters in May 2013, included the Sleevey Hangtag.
5 44. In April and May 2016, Plaintiff R and A’s legal counsel left
6 messages for Spanx General Counsel, Leslie Slavich, inquiring about whether
7 Defendant Spanx had any interest in discussing a potential business arrangement
8 with the owners of the Sleevey Wonder’s under sleeves. Ms. Slavich never
9 returned any of the messages.
10 45. Thereafter, on or around September 12, 2017, Defendant Spanx came
11 out with a product sold under the brand SHEER FASHION. The SHEER
12 FASHION products are sold as layering pieces to be worn under sleeveless
13 garments. The line includes crop tops that are indistinguishable in appearance to
14 the SLEEVEY WONDERS under sleeves when worn under a sleeveless outer
15 garment.
16 46. Like the SLEEVEY WONDERS’ under sleeves, Spanx SHEER
17 FASHION products are long sleeve crop tops sold in sheer mesh, polka dot and
18 lace, and are nearly identical in appearance to the SLEEVEY WONDERS under
19 sleeves when worn under a sleeveless dress or top. Exhibit H attached hereto is a
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true and correct depiction of SHEER FASHION products and SLEEVEY
21
WONDERS under sleeves products shown side-by-side.
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47. By selling SHEER FASHION products nearly identical in appearance
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to the SLEEVEY WONDERS under sleeves products, Defendant Spanx has acted
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in willful disregard of the laws protecting Plaintiff R and A’s goodwill, and they
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have intentionally confused and deceived, or threatened to confuse and deceive, the
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consuming public concerning the source, affiliation, connection, or sponsorship of
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Defendant Spanx’s Sheer Fashion products. By its wrongful conduct, Defendant
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Spanx has traded upon and diminished Plaintiff R and A’s reputation and goodwill
9
COMPLAINT
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COMPLAINT
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14 Exhibit U is a true and correct copy of the transcript provided by ABC of this
15 segment.
16 64. A feature article in the New York Post about Defendant Spanx’s new
17
product, ARM TIGHTS, noted that “Spanx founder Sara Blakely insists that the
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invention wasn’t born out of a desire to slenderize arms but to squeeze more looks
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out of warm-weather clothing as temps drop.” The article quoted Blakely as
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stating, “My favorite things to invent are the ones women didn’t realize they
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needed and can’t live without…. Tights have been around for our legs for so many
22
years, I was thinking, ‘Why aren’t there tights for our arms?’” Exhibit V is a true
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and correct copy of a mobile preview of the New York Post article.
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65. Due to the identical look of SLEEVEY WONDERS under sleeves and
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ARM TIGHTS garments, Blakely, through her false statements identifying her as
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the creator of a new product category, is further intentionally confusing and
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deceiving the consuming public as to the source, affiliation, connection, or
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sponsorship of Spanx’s ARM TIGHTS products.
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COMPLAINT
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COMPLAINT
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1 moms… anyone with the courage, creativity and confidence to pursue their
2 dreams.”
3
Exhibit X is a true and correct copy of the spanx.com Elevating Women page
4
(spanx.com/elevatingwomen).
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70. Upon information and belief, women buy Defendant Spanx’s products
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and support Defendant Spanx’s business, at least in part, upon Blakely and
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Defendant Spanx’s claims of supporting women and women entrepreneurs.
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71. Defendant Spanx and Plaintiff R and A are direct competitors of one
9
another, selling nearly identical products, sold for the same purpose and use, to the
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same target market (females), at similar price points ($30.00-$57.00), and through
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the same channels of trade (on-line, catalog sales and direct marketing to target
12
consumers, retail stores and boutique).
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72. In fact, Plaintiff R and A has already been notified by at least one
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boutique that Plaintiff R and A lost sales to the boutique because the boutique
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carried Defendant Spanx’s products and has lost customers recently that are also
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known to carry Defendant Spanx’s products.
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73. On November 7, 2017, Ruthann Greenblat, CEO of Plaintiff R and A,
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sent a letter to Sara Blakely, CEO of Defendant Spanx, calling to her attention the
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fact that Defendant Spanx purchased SLEEVEY WONDERS under sleeves in
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2013 and that Defendant Spanx and Blakely were now falsely claiming Plaintiff R
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and A’s idea was their own. Greenblat further expressed her shock in Defendant
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Spanx and Blakely’s claims given that Blakely had built the SPANX brand and her
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foundation on the importance of helping and mentoring other women. Exhibit Y
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is a true and correct copy of the November 7, 2017 letter to Defendant Spanx.
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74. On November 14, 2017, Defendant Spanx’s attorneys, King and
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Spalding, responded, in part, by: (i) distinguishing the products claiming that
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Defendant Spanx’s packaging and promotional materials are readily
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distinguishable from and not likely to be confused with those of Plaintiff R and A;
15
COMPLAINT
Case 2:17-cv-09147-SVW-AS Document 1 Filed 12/21/17 Page 16 of 32 Page ID #:16
1 and (ii) claiming that Defendant Spanx’s current offerings are all in a pull-on style,
2 whereas Sleevey Wonders under sleeves products snap under the bust. Exhibit Z
3 is a true and correct copy of the November 14, 2017 letter to Ruthann Greenblat,
4 CEO of Plaintiff R and A.
5 75. Contrary to claims by Defendant Spanx’s attorney’s in the November
6 14, 2017 letter, for the reasons set forth above, Defendant Spanx’s packing and
7 promotional materials infringe upon Plaintiff R and A’s copyright in the Sleevey
8 Website and Sleevey Hangtags. Defendant Spanx’s website and packaging and
9 promotional materials also use confusingly similar slogans to those used
10 continuously by Plaintiff R and A for years. Defendant Spanx’s ARM TIGHTS
11 and SHEER FASHION products are nearly identical to one another and are
12 indistinguishable from the basic style SLEEVEY WONDERS under sleeves when
13 worn under sleeveless tops. Further, the original basic style SLEEVEY
14 WONDERS under sleeves are pull-on style, similar to Defendant Spanx’s current
15 offerings. Exhibit A1 is a true and correct copy of a post on Defendant Spanx’
16 Facebook page with a follower commenting on ARM TIGHTS -- “they look a lot
17 like Sleevey Wonders.”
18 76. Over the past five (5) years, Plaintiff R and A has been aggressively
19 enforcing its rights against knock-offs in the market place to protect its new under
20
sleeves product category of a form fitting, arm smoothing, crop top, layering piece,
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which Plaintiff R and A –not Defendant Spanx – first brought to the marketplace.
22
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77. Plaintiff R and A repeats and re-alleges each allegation set forth above
26
as if set forth fully herein.
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78. Plaintiff R and A is the author and registered copyright owner of the
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Sleevey Hangtag (the “R and A copyrighted work”).
16
COMPLAINT
Case 2:17-cv-09147-SVW-AS Document 1 Filed 12/21/17 Page 17 of 32 Page ID #:17
1 79. Defendant Spanx had access to Plaintiff R and A’s Sleevey Hangtag.
2 80. Defendant Spanx copied, reproduced, printed, displayed, offered for
3 sale, and sold products that featured R and A’s copyrighted work, without
4 limitation, Plaintiff R an A’s paper doll illustrations, use of equations to show
5 wardrobe expansion, bullet point list explaining what the product can do, product
6 features, marketing buzz words, catch phrases, slogans, image reproductions and
7 product depiction and product layout and presentation.
8 81. Defendant Spanx’s acts of infringement were willful and/or reckless.
9 82. By copying, distributing, displaying, publishing, and otherwise
10 exploiting R and A copyrighted work, Defendant Spanx infringed Plaintiff R and
11 A’s copyrights in the Sleevey Hangtag and R and A copyrighted work under 17
12 USC § 502 et seq. and caused Plaintiff R and A significant injuries, damages, and
13 losses in amounts to be determined at trial.
14 83. Plaintiff R and A seeks all damages recoverable under the Copyright
15 Act (17 USC Chapter 5), including statutory or actual damages, including
16 Defendant Spanx’s profit attributable to the infringements, and damages suffered
17 as a result of the lack of compensation, credit, and attribution from any diminution
18 in the value of R and A copyrighted work.
19
22 84. Plaintiff R and A repeats and re-alleges each allegation set forth above
23 as if set forth fully herein.
24 85. Plaintiff R and A has manufactured, advertised, distributed, marketed,
25 promoted and offered it SLEEVEY WONDERS under sleeves since December 15,
26 2011.
27 86. Plaintiff R and A’s SLEEVEY WONDERS under sleeves having been
28 sold continuously and without interruption over five years, across the United States
17
COMPLAINT
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COMPLAINT
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COMPLAINT
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1 100. Defendant Spanx knew or should have known that its statements and
2 use of Plaintiff R and A’s marketing and advertising materials were likely to
3 mislead.
4 101. As an actual and proximate result of Defendant Spanx willful and
5 intentional actions, Plaintiff R and A has suffered damages in an amount to be
6 determined at trial, and unless Defendant Spanx is enjoined, Plaintiff R and A will
7 continue to suffer irreparable harm and damage to its business, reputation, and
8 goodwill.
9 102. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1117, Plaintiff R and A is entitled to damages
10 for Defendant Spanx’s Lanham Act violations, an accounting for profits made by
11 Defendant Spanx on sales of ARM TIGHTS products, as well as recovery of the
12 costs of this action. Furthermore, Plaintiff R and A is informed and believes, and
13 on that basis alleges, that Defendant Spanx’s conduct was undertaken willfully and
14 with the intention of causing confusion, mistake or deception, making this an
15 exceptional case entitling Plaintiff R and A to recover additional damages and
16 reasonable attorneys’ fees pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1117.
17
21 103. Plaintiff R and A repeats and re-alleges each allegation set forth above
22 as if set forth fully herein.
23 104. Since at least May of 2013, Defendant Spanx knew of Plaintiff R and
24 A’s products and had ordered and received at least one of Plaintiff R and A’s
25 products and associated packaging and marketing materials.
26 105. In September 2017, Defendant Spanx launched products in direct
27 competition with Plaintiff R and A: ARM TIGHTS and SHEER FASHION
28 products.
20
COMPLAINT
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COMPLAINT
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COMPLAINT
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1 mislead the public into believe that Plaintiff R and A under sleeves products are
2 those of Defendant Spanx.
3 122. Defendant Spanx has advertised and offered services using market
4 material similar in appearance to, and using similar phrases and illustrations as,
5 Plaintiff R and A’s marketing material.
6 123. Consumers are likely to be misled and deceived by Defendant Spanx’s
7 representations, and Defendant Spanx knew or should have known that its
8 statements and use of Plaintiff R and A’s marketing and advertising materials were
9 likely to mislead.
10 124. Further, Plaintiff R and A’s SLEEVEY WONDERS under sleeves
11 having been sold continuously and without interruption for over five years, across
12 the United States and internationally, and have acquired secondary meaning such
13 that consumers recognize SLEEVEY WONDERS under sleeves as coming from a
14 unique source which is Plaintiff R and A.
15 125. Both Defendant Spanx's ARM TIGHTS and SHEER FASHION
16 products use the look and feel of Plaintiff R and A’s SLEEVEY WONDERS under
17 sleeves such that they are likely to cause confusion as to the source of SLEEVEY
18 WONDERS under sleeves products with Defendant Spanx’s products or vice versa
19 (creating reverse confusion).
20
126. Defendant Spanx knew of the commercial success of Plaintiff R and
21
A’s SLEEVEY WONDERS under sleeves and Defendant Spanx willfully used the
22
look and feel of Plaintiff R and A under sleeves’ trade dress in connection with the
23
sale, offering for sale, distribution and/or advertising of ARM TIGHTS and
24
SHEER FASHION products in a manner likely to cause confusion, or to cause
25
mistake, or to deceive customers that Defendant Spanx’s products derives from
26
Plaintiff R and A or otherwise associated with or authorized by Plaintiff R and A,
27
and/or deceive customers into thinking that SLEEVEY WONDERS under sleeves
28
are those of Defendant Spanx, thereby creating reverse confusion.
24
COMPLAINT
Case 2:17-cv-09147-SVW-AS Document 1 Filed 12/21/17 Page 25 of 32 Page ID #:25
19
SIXTH CAUSE OF ACTION
20
(Statutory Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices under California Consumers
21 Legal Remedies Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1750, 1770 and 1780 et seq.))
22
129. Plaintiff R and A repeats and re-alleges each allegation set forth above
23
as if set forth fully herein.
24
130. Since at least May of 2013, Defendant Spanx knew of Plaintiff R and
25
A’s under sleeves products and had ordered and received at least of Plaintiff R and
26
A’s under sleeves products and associated packaging and marketing materials.
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COMPLAINT
Case 2:17-cv-09147-SVW-AS Document 1 Filed 12/21/17 Page 26 of 32 Page ID #:26
1 the manner in which Defendant Spanx has complied with the terms of the
2 injunction;
3 C. That Defendant Spanx be ordered to correct any erroneous impression
4 persons may have derived concerning the nature, characteristics, or qualities or
5 source of ARM TIGHTS and SHEER FASHION products, including without
6 limitation, ceasing to advertise the product under the brand ARM TIGHTS as a
7 solution to women’s fashion that never before existed.
8 D. That Defendant Spanx be adjudged to have violated 15 U.S.C. § 501
9 et seq. by having copied, reproduced, printed, displayed, offered for sale, and sold
10 products that featured Plaintiff R and A’s copyrighted work.
11 E. That Defendant Spanx be adjudged to have violated 15 U.S.C. § 1125
12 et seq. by willfully using the look and feel of Plaintiff R and A under sleeves’ trade
13 dress in connection with the sale, offering for sale, distribution and/or advertising
14 of ARM TIGHTS and SHEER FASHION products in a manner likely to cause
15 confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive customers into believing that
16 Defendant Spanx's products are Plaintiff R and A’s products or otherwise
17 associated with or authorized by Plaintiff R and A, and/or deceive customers into
18 thinking that SLEEVEY WONDERS under sleeves are those of Defendant Spanx,
19 thereby creating reverse confusion.
20
F. That Defendant Spanx be adjudged to have violated 15 U.S.C. § 1125
21
by unfairly competing against Plaintiff R and A by using false, deceptive or
22
misleading descriptions or representations of fact that misrepresent the nature,
23
quality and characteristics of Defendant Spanx’s products;
24
G. That Defendant Spanx be adjudged to unlawfully and unfairly compete
25
against Plaintiff R and A under the laws of the State of California, Cal. Bus. &
26
Prof. Code § 17200, et seq.;
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COMPLAINT
Case 2:17-cv-09147-SVW-AS Document 1 Filed 12/21/17 Page 30 of 32 Page ID #:30
6
Dated: December 20, 2017 AVYNO LAW P.C.
7
8
By: /s/ Jennifer H. Hamilton
9 Jennifer H. Hamilton
10
Attorneys for Plaintiff
11 R and A Synergy, LLC
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COMPLAINT
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DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
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Plaintiff R and A requests a jury trial on all issues properly triable to a jury.
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Dated: December 20, 2017 Avyno Law P.C.
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/s/ Jennifer H. Hamilton
7 Jennifer H. Hamilton
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Attorneys for Plaintiff
9 R and A Synergy, LLC
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COMPLAINT
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Exhibit A
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RGB09001USU
02-08-2013
SM
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Exhibit B
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Exhibit C
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Exhibit D
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11-28-2017
DSG
AVYNO LAW
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Exhibit E
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Exhibit F
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Exhibit G
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Exhibit H
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Lace: Lace:
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Exhibit I
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Why Sara Blakely Thinks Being Underestimated Can Help Women in Bu... https://www.inc.com/emily-canal/sara-blakely-debuts-spanx-arm-tights-a...
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Why Sara Blakely Thinks Being Underestimated Can Help Women in Bu... https://www.inc.com/emily-canal/sara-blakely-debuts-spanx-arm-tights-a...
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Although it was frustrating that no one would give her a chance at the time, she added that being
underestimated can also give women a competitive edge.
Like many women, Blakely said, she grew up hearing the phrase "beauty is pain." As a response
to that concept, which she called "B.S.," in 1998 she cut the feet off a pair of pantyhose and
began her shapewear company. Spanx is now worth more than $1 billion and has expanded into
leggings, hosiery, and other products.
Blakley announced Spanx's newest offering, called arm tights, at the Women's Summit. She
described the product as a crop top with long sleeves that is made from the same material as the
company's famous tights. Blakely, who modeled a sparkling black version, said it will allow
women to wear sleeveless tops in the cooler weather. (You can see the entire announcement in
the video below.)
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Exhibit J
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Blue: Blue:
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White: White:
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Gray: Gray:
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Exhibit K
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Exhibit L
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Exhibit M
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Exhibit N
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Exhibit O
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Exhibit P
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Exhibit Q
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Exhibit R
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Exhibit S
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Exhibit T
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Exhibit U
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Exhibit V
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Exhibit W
About SPANX Inc. https://www.spanx.com/about-us/
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About SPANX Inc. https://www.spanx.com/about-us/
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Exhibit X
Elevating Women https://www.spanx.com/elevatingwomen/
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Elevating Women https://www.spanx.com/elevatingwomen/
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Elevating Women https://www.spanx.com/elevatingwomen/
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Elevating Women https://www.spanx.com/elevatingwomen/
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Exhibit Y
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Exhibit Z
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Kathleen E. McCarthy
Partner
Direct Dial: 212-556-2345
Direct Fax: 212-556-2222
[email protected]
We represent Spanx, Inc. and have been asked to respond to your November 7,
2017 letter addressed to Spanx’s founder Sara Blakely. Please direct any further
communications about this matter to my attention.
Spanx appreciates that you have concerns about competition from Spanx and
that you have taken the time to write a personal letter on the matter. However, we have
not been able to identify any basis for a legal claim. There is nothing actionable about
the fact that Spanx may have ordered your products and other product offerings at
some point in the past. The products Spanx developed and now offers are not the
same as Sleevey Wonders products. Aside from the fact that both products are
intended for use on the arms (like several other, similar products on the market), the
Spanx products differ from what Sleevey Wonders has patented and otherwise differ
from Sleevey Wonders products in several ways. For example, the Spanx packaging
and promotional materials are readily distinguishable from and not likely to be confused
with those of Sleevey Wonders. Spanx’s current offerings are all in a pull-on style,
whereas Sleevey Wonders products snap under the bust.
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Ms. Ruthann Greenblat
November 14, 2017
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convenient time for a call. Otherwise, we expect that both parties can continue to
market and promote their different offerings to the public without interference from one
another. Spanx’s rights and remedies are reserved.
Yours truly,
Kathleen E. McCarthy
KEM
DMSLIBRARY01:31535233.1
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Exhibit A1
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