Sochi's First Sponsor Infringement Lawsuit Has Been Filed

Well, that was quick. To celebrate the start of the 2014 Winter Olympics, the Canadian Olympic Committee has filed a lawsuit against The North Face and parent company, VF. The lawsuit claims that the outerwear apparel maker infringed on Olympic trademarks and attempted to mislead customers into believing that North Face was an official sponsor in the run-up to the Sochi games with its "Villagewear" collection. The committee is asking for an injunction to force The North Face to stop its marketing practices, as well as unspecified damages. “We do not agree with the (Canadian Olympic Committee’s) claims and we are disappointed they have taken this action," a North Face spokesperson told The Globe and Mail.