// Seraphine allege their designs were copied by Jojo Maman Bébé
// It is filing an injunction to stop its rival selling the alleged copied styles
// Jojo Maman Bébé founder has denied the allegations
Seraphine is filing an injunction to stop rival childrenswear brand Jojo Maman Bébé from selling five styles which it allegedly copied.
Seraphine gained popularity when the Duchess of Cambridge wore one of its designs in the first official pictures with Prince George.
The maternity and babywear retailer alleged that Jojo Maman Bébé infringed its copyright by copying five designs, including a shawl meant for breastfeeding.
The Sunday Times reported that Seraphine’s founder Cécile Reinaud became suspicious after the brand received numerous orders from its rival’s office.
“We were a bit concerned. When we looked at it more closely, the products were ordered, and six to eight months later a similar product came to the market,” Reinaud told The Times.
“It was becoming too much of a pattern.”
Jojo Maman Bébé, which also sells maternity, infant and children’s styles, responded by saying the products were bought by pregnant staff members.
However, according to Seraphine, the retailer’s lawyers admitted none were pregnant at the time of the purchases.
Jojo Maman Bébé founder Laura Tenison has denied Seraphine’s complaint of copyright infringement.
“Allegations of copying are totally unfounded, unsubstantiated and simply wrong,” she told The Sunday Times.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
