Overview

• Columbia Sportswear filed its complaint July 23 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon.
• The retailer alleges that a June 2023 agreement barred the university from selling apparel bearing 'Columbia' alone without an additional school mark.
• According to the suit, the university’s webstore began offering unmarked 'Columbia' shirts, sweatshirts and hats in 2024 in violation of the pact.
• The lawsuit warns that the similar bright blue coloring and lack of distinguishing marks are causing consumer confusion and harming Sportswear’s brand.
• It seeks injunctive relief, product recalls, treble damages plus a jury trial and Columbia University has so far declined to comment.