A black padded jacket is at the centre of a court battle between Superdry and Jack Wills.
Superdry is suing Jack Wills and a former employee over copyright and an alleged breach of contract.
Former head of international business development Greg Roberts left Superdry to join Jack Wills in November.
Superdry alleges Roberts took confidential information with him and used it at Jack Wills, where he moved into the newly-created role of wholesale director.
Superdry believes Jack Wills used information such as contracts, factories and materials used, to improve the sales of its winter coats range.
Lawyers have now identified a series of Jack Wills designs they believe bear a striking resemblance to Superdry, including Superdry’s £114.99 Glacier Biker Jacket and Jack Wills’ £99 Cuffley Padded Jacket.
Superdry has also threatened to seek an injunction from the High Court to stop Jack Wills from releasing its winter coats.
Jack Wills responded to the allegations with a withering report, arguing that Superdry clothes appeal to “the middle-aged”:
“Why would we want to copy their designs? Our clothes are worn by gorgeous, cool young people and theirs appeal to the middle-aged,” a company insider told the Daily Mail, claiming that the brands are “at the other end of the spectrum from each other”.
“Superdry is worn by mums and dads. Jack Wills is for their teenage kids. It considers itself a British heritage brand, and so doesn’t regard Superdry as a competitor,” the source added.
A high court judged last week gave Superdry two weeks to submit its full case and denied its request for the case to be expedited.
The judge also ruled that Superdry should pay Jack Wills’ £30,000 costs.
Superdry says it will continue to pursue the case.
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