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NBC News
28 minutes ago
- NBC News
Columbia Sportswear sues Columbia University, alleging merchandise too similar and causes confusion
For decades, T-shirts, sweatshirts and other clothing under the Columbia Sportswear brand and clothing emblazoned with the Columbia University name coexisted more or less peacefully without confusion. But now, the Portland-based outdoor retailer has sued the New York-based university over alleged trademark infringement and a breach of contract, among other charges. It claims that the university's merchandise looks too similar to what's being sold at more than 800 retail locations including more than 150 of its branded stores as well as its website and third-party marketplaces. In a lawsuit filed July 23 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, Columbia Sportswear, whose roots date back to 1938, alleges that the university intentionally violated an agreement the parties signed on June 13, 2023. That agreement dictated how the university could use the word 'Columbia' on its own apparel. As part of the pact, the university could feature 'Columbia' on its merchandise provided that the name included a recognizable school insignia or its mascot, the word 'university,' the name of the academic department or the founding year of the university — 1754 — or a combination. But Columbia Sportswear alleges the university breached the agreement a little more than a year later, with the company noticing several garments without any of the school logos being sold at the Columbia University online store. Many of the garments feature a bright blue color that is 'confusingly similar' to the blue color that has long been associated with Columbia Sportswear, the suit alleged. The lawsuit offered photos of some of the Columbia University items that say only Columbia. 'The likelihood of deception, confusion, and mistake engendered by the university's misappropriation and misuse of the Columbia name is causing irreparable harm to the brand and goodwill symbolized by Columbia Sportswear's registered mark Columbia and the reputation for quality it embodies,' the lawsuit alleged. The lawsuit comes at a time when Columbia University has been threatened with the potential loss of billions of dollars in government support. Last week, Columbia University reached a deal with the Trump administration to pay more than $220 million to the federal government to restore federal research money that was canceled in the name of combating antisemitism on campus. Under the agreement, the Ivy League school will pay a $200 million settlement over three years, the university said. Columbia Sportswear aims to stop all sales of clothing that violate the agreement, recall any products already sold and donate any remaining merchandise to charity. Columbia Sportswear is also seeking three times the amount of actual damages determined by a jury.


USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
WNBA possibly headed to Boson with Sun sale: Everything we know so far
The WNBA may be headed to Boston sooner than expected. A deal has been reached between a group led by Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca and the Mohegan Tribe to buy the Connecticut Sun and move the team to TD Garden by 2027, per the Boston Globe. The purchase would be for $325 million, a record for a women's professional sports franchise, per the Globe. A $100 million practice facility in Boston is reportedly in the works if the deal goes through. "The Boston group is targeting a 2027 move and would potentially play early season games in Providence to avoid any conflict with Bruins and Celtics playoff games," the Globe's Gary Washburn reported. The Sun has played games at TD Garden in the past, including one against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever in July. The possible sale would give one of America's biggest cities a WNBA franchise sooner than expansion sites like Philadelphia, Cleveland and Detroit. However, the sale is pending WNBA approval, and that could get tricky per a key detail in the Globe's report. What could hold up the Boston sale? According to Washburn, the WNBA could eye Boston as a possible expansion site in 2033. That might complicate the sale, but it's also possible the league and its governors go ahead and approve this transaction. The Celtics are reportedly agreeable to the Sun moving into TD Garden, per Washburn. Will the team stay the Sun if the sale is approved? That detail is not yet known, as a potential rebranding is always possible. However, the Boston Sun has a nice ring to it. Could the WNBA force the Sun to stay in Connecticut? It's apparently possible, per Washburn. "A WNBA source said if the league forces the Mohegan Tribe to sell to a Connecticut-based buyer to [keep] the team in the state, which it has the power to do, Mohegan will cooperate, but the Tribe's choice is to sell to the Boston-based group," he wrote. "That source said the Tribe has determined selling the franchise would be the most financially lucrative, and it could then concentrate on running its casino and hotel." What are the problems with the Sun staying where they are? Well, Washburn outlined some of the biggest challenges the Sun faces by staying where the team is. "Mohegan Sun Arena is the league's fourth-smallest venue and the Sun lack a dedicated practice facility, instead conducting workouts at the gym inside the Tribe's community and government center," he wrote. "Often, the Sun are forced to share space with summer camps and other local events." That can lead to a lack of interest for WNBA free agents and dissatisfaction with rostered players. Where will the Sun play in 2026? The team will remain in Connecticut at Mohegan Sun Arena, no matter what happens with this possible sale.


Time Business News
2 hours ago
- Time Business News
Effective eCommerce Web Development Solutions In the UK
With over 80% of UK consumers engaging in online shopping, having a well-designed, high-performing eCommerce website is no longer optional — it's mission-critical. Whether you're launching a new product or scaling your online store, your website must be built to perform, convert, and evolve. At Itology Creations, we specialize in crafting tailored, high-converting eCommerce solutions that not only look stunning but also function seamlessly. We combine strategy, design, and the latest technology to help UK-based businesses thrive in a competitive online marketplace. A slow-loading site, clunky navigation, or a confusing checkout process can cost you more than just sales — it can damage your brand's credibility. With abandonment rates reaching nearly 70% for online shopping carts, your website must be built to make the journey from product discovery to purchase as smooth as possible. That's where Itology Creations comes in — we don't just build websites, we engineer user-focused eCommerce experiences that work for your customers and your bottom line. We don't believe in copy-paste solutions. Every business has its own story, brand voice, and unique selling proposition. Our team develops fully customised eCommerce websites that reflect your identity, meet your business goals, and speak directly to your target audience. From product pages to user accounts and custom dashboards, everything is designed from the ground up — no templates, no compromises. Whether you need a fast setup or a complex, scalable architecture, we build on the platform that best suits your business: Shopify – fast, secure, and great for scalability. – fast, secure, and great for scalability. WooCommerce – ideal for those already using WordPress. – ideal for those already using WordPress. Magento – powerful and flexible for large enterprises. – powerful and flexible for large enterprises. Headless eCommerce – modern architecture for lightning-speed performance and integration. – modern architecture for lightning-speed performance and integration. Custom-coded Solutions – built entirely around your logic, operations, and future roadmap. We guide you through platform selection based on your goals, products, audience, and budget. With over 60% of UK shoppers making purchases on mobile devices, a responsive and mobile-optimized design is vital. Our developers ensure your site: Looks great on all screen sizes Loads fast on mobile connections Offers intuitive navigation and tap-friendly elements Supports mobile-first features like Apple Pay and Google Pay This leads to higher mobile conversions and better user satisfaction. A beautiful site means nothing if it's slow, unsecure, or invisible to search engines. We build your website with a solid technical foundation that includes: Speed optimization (compressed images, caching, lazy loading) SSL & secure payment gateway integrations GDPR-compliance & privacy best practices Technical SEO (clean URLs, schema markup, alt tags, metadata) The result? A fast, secure, and search-friendly online store that Google loves and your users trust. The checkout process is where many sales are lost. We optimize your store's buying journey to remove friction and encourage completion, including: One-page and multi-step checkouts Guest checkout options Secure integrations with PayPal, Stripe, Klarna, Apple Pay, and more Automated confirmation emails and status updates Your customers enjoy peace of mind and a smooth transaction process — and you enjoy fewer abandoned carts. Our eCommerce development services don't stop at the user interface. We integrate your site with: Inventory and warehouse systems Shipping providers and real-time tracking CRM tools for managing customer relationships Email marketing platforms (Mailchimp, Klaviyo, etc.) Accounting and analytics tools This creates a fully automated ecosystem that saves time, reduces errors, and scales with your growth. Need custom features? We've got you covered. Our developers can integrate or build: Product bundling and upselling tools Loyalty and referral programs Subscription models Multilingual and multi-currency support Chatbots and AI-driven recommendations Whatever your vision, we turn it into reality with clean, scalable code and expert design. We start every project by understanding your brand, audience, and goals. Every feature we build serves a purpose — to attract, engage, and convert. We're proudly UK-based, with a deep understanding of the local market and buyer behaviour. But we bring global standards of development, innovation, and service. No hidden costs. No jargon. Just straightforward conversations and tailored solutions that meet your needs. We don't disappear after deployment. From regular backups to performance optimization and security patches — we ensure your site stays healthy and up-to-date. We embed analytics and tracking tools from day one, helping you make smarter business decisions with real data. Whether you're an ambitious startup or an established retailer, Itology Creations provides the web development expertise and strategic insight you need to succeed online. From first click to final checkout, we make sure your eCommerce platform performs with power, precision, and purpose. TIME BUSINESS NEWS