Latest news with #NikeAirForceOne
Business Insider
08-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
An apparel designer analyzed the pants Lululemon accused Costco of copying — and sided with the warehouse club
An apparel designer has weighed in on the controversy surrounding a pair of Costco pants that bear a striking resemblance to a popular Lululemon design. Lululemon sued Costco late last month, accusing the warehouse club of infringing its intellectual property rights to several designs, including its ABC style of men's pants, named for its "anti-ball crushing" design. YouTuber and CEO of fashion studio Shift Fashion Group, Joe Ng, took pairs of each company's pants identified in the complaint and analyzed them against the athleisure company's claims. His analysis was based on his expertise as a fashion designer and consultant. While Ng isn't a lawyer, his company partners with brands to design and produce apparel. He has a series of videos in which he disassembles popular articles of clothing to see how they are made. Ng said in the video that he respected Lululemon's superior design but was concerned that the company appears to be trying to assert legal control over several commonly used design elements. This could put smaller companies like his at risk, he said. A Lululemon spokesperson said in a statement to Business Insider, the company invests significantly in research, development, and design for its products. "We take the responsibility of protecting and enforcing our intellectual property rights very seriously and pursue the appropriate legal action when necessary," the spokesperson said. Costco did not respond to a request for comment from BI on this story. The lawsuit focuses on "trade dress," which refers to the outward appearance of a product, rather than its functional features. US protections for trade dress are typically easier to enforce than functional patents, but design patents only protect elements that are nonfunctional, according to an article on the American Bar Association's website. Think of the iconic Coke bottle shape or the Nike Air Force One sneaker — the appearance doesn't affect how the product is made or used. However, Ng said in the YouTube video that many of the design elements that Lululemon highlighted in its lawsuit have functional purposes and are used by many designers. In its complaint, Lululemon said Costco copied several features of the ABC Pants to make its Kirkland Signature 5 Pocket Performance Pant. Those include a crotch "gusset," a rear panel separating the belt loops and pockets, and curved pockets adorned with a "decorative metallic circle." "When you really look at what a gusset does, it's about having enough fabric here to alleviate pressure from the front and back seams to make it more comfortable for the wearer," Ng said in his video. "What makes the ABC pant anti-ball crushing is the actual gusset itself." In addition to Costco, several denim and workwear pants from other manufacturers feature a similar crotch gusset for comfort, mobility, and durability. Ng also said that both the rear panel and the curved pockets with rivets are common features of many denim pants, most notably the 58-year-old design of Levi's 505 jeans. "Just Google 'five pocket pant,'" he said. "They're going to be present on pretty much all of those pants." The similarities that Lululemon highlights between the two pants aren't likely to convince a shopper to trade up or down from their respective choice, which is likely based on fit, fabric, and finish, rather than aesthetics, Ng said. Costco's pants cost around $20, while Lululemon's retail for $128. "Are these alleged dupes comparable to the ABC pant? I would say no," he said. "I don't think that the consumer who is looking to buy this pant is the same consumer who's looking to buy this pant." While Ng sided with Costco in his assessment of Lululemon's lawsuit, he concluded, as several other reviewers have, that the authentic ABC pants are a much better product. "Would I be surprised if the Kirkland team drew inspiration from the ABC Pant? Absolutely not. Just as I wouldn't be surprised if the ABC pant team drew inspiration from a pair of denim," he said. "That is how good product development works. You build upon the ideas that come before you."
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
He Walked Into an Amish Home and Killed a Pregnant Woman with Her Children Feet Away — But What Brought Him There?
Shawn Christopher Cranston, 52, was convicted of first-degree murder for killing 23-year-old pregnant Amish woman Rebekah Byler and second-degree murder for killing her unborn child Investigators linked Cranston to the crime through a shoe print and his belongings found at the scene, including Nike sneakers and guns Cranston, who had previously provided rides for a nearby family, had allegedly exhibited strange behavior, including wandering the property in black clothing with a pistolA truck driver was convicted of shooting a pregnant Amish woman to death inside of her rural northwestern Pennsylvania home while her kids were in the next room over. Shawn Christopher Cranston, 52, was convicted of first-degree murder for killing Rebekah Byler, 23, and second-degree murder for killing her unborn child, the AP reported. 'It is hard to fathom conduct more heinous than brutally killing a young expectant mother and her unborn child in her home,' Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said to the outlet. 'Our homes are supposed to be our safe haven — this defendant violated the sanctity of home to commit these truly evil acts.' On the morning of Feb. 26, 2024, Rebekah was at her home while her husband was being driven to work, the AP reported, citing authorities. When her husband, Andy Byler, returned home from work, he found her dead. 'I didn't really believe it,' Andy said at a preliminary hearing for Cranston, the outlet reported. 'I walked in and saw her cap laying inside the door.' Rebekah and Andy's two other children, a 2-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy, were at home when she was killed but the children were left unharmed, PennLive reported, citing court records. The boy later reportedly told police that a man in a green truck entered their home with sneakers and killed his mom. Investigators later found a shoe print inside their home resembling a Nike Air Force One sneaker and later found the shoes in the family's home, the outlet reported, citing police. Police also found some of Cranston's clothing, five bank bags, a box of gloves and seven guns with was a driver for an Amish man who lived a mile away from Rebekah's home, PennLive reported, citing court documents. Court records said the family had 'very odd experiences' with Cranston, saying that after he provided the first ride, he would randomly show up at the family's home. Amish people rely on drivers outside of the community since they do not drive vehicles. They also do not traditionally wear sneakers, according to their community rules. In one instance, Cranston allegedly drove a Jeep to the Byler's home, parked it in their driveway and wandered around the property wearing black clothing head to toe, PennLive reported. He allegedly had a black pistol in a holster on his belt and walked aimlessly, not making any sense when he interacted with neighbors. Neighbors have told police that he is a member of the War Dogs motorcycle club, where he serves as sergeant at arms, the outlet reported. Police are still not entirely sure what Cranston's motive was for killing Rebekah, local outlets reported. They're continuing to analyze his Jeep for evidence. Cranston is scheduled to be sentenced in July. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Yahoo
Missing Texas College Student's Car Was Found with Blood and Broken Glass, Family Says: 'Please Come Home'
The family of a Texas college student, who has been missing for nearly three weeks, said their loved one's car was found abandoned with a broken window and blood on the front seat. According to a missing persons bulletin from the Pasadena Police Department, Payas Rohit Deo, a 19-year-old man, was last seen on the evening of Feb. 8, near Space Center Boulevard and Sunrise Lake Drive in the Clear Lake area. At the time of his disappearance, Deo was wearing a black T-shirt, red pants, white Nike Air Force One shoes and diamond stud earrings, authorities added. He is approximately 5''6" tall and weighs 140 lbs. Related: At Least 3 Dead, 2 Injured and 1 Person Missing After Boat Sinks Off Staten Island: Reports Police said in a news release on Monday, Feb. 24, that authorities recovered the vehicle that Deo was last known to be driving on Feb. 9. Officials didn't say where the vehicle was found, but KHOU reported it was located five miles away near the intersection of Allen Genoa Road and Smith Avenue in Pasadena. 'The PPD Crime Scene Unit processed the vehicle, and investigators are currently awaiting the results of the physical evidence analysis from the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences,' authorities said. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The department added that Payas has been listed as missing in the Texas Crime Information Center and the National Crime Information Center. Detectives are actively investigating the case, police noted. Deo's family told CBS affiliate KHOU that in addition to the broken window and the blood, the vehicle contained the teen's shoes. Related: Couple Checked into Hotel for Birthday Celebration Before Woman Died and Man Disappeared on Lake: Police "We thought somebody would have kidnapped him. That was the first thing came into mind, because his shoes, what he wears, those shoes were inside the car," Rohit Deo, the victim's father, told the outlet. In an interview with NBC affiliate KPRC, Deo's family said the teen, a student at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, left home on Feb. 8 and has not been seen or heard from since. Rohit Deo said he believes his son may have been abducted. However, police have not clarified that his disappearance is suspicious at this time. Related: Missing College Freshman's Body Identified After She Was Last Seen at Her Dorm; Family Seeks Answers Deo's family has been posting flyers and begging the student to return home, KHOU reported. "Please come home," Rohit Deo said." We will take care of you." Those with information on Payas Deo's possible whereabouts should contact Detective Hawthorne at (713) 475-4887 or (281) 782-5512. A GoFundMe has been created to help Deo's family hire private investigators and offer a reward for information leading to his return. PEOPLE contacted the Pasadena Police Department on Wednesday, Feb. 26, for more comment. Read the original article on People
