Levi’s takes Australian rival Globe to court over pocket tab design

Levi Strauss & Co has initiated legal proceedings in the Northern District of California against Australian apparel manufacturer Globe and its brand S-Double. The US denim giant alleges that S-Double engaged in blatant copying of its trademarked pocket tab design, constituting trademark infringement, trade dress infringement, unfair competition, and false advertising. The lawsuit follows a 2010 settlement with S-Double, which Levi’s claims was breached when the brand resumed selling garments with nearly identical tabs.

Levi’s, valued at approximately $8.8 billion on the NYSE, has a long history of protecting its pocket tab design, which has been a feature on its garments since 1936. The company argues that the tab is a famous trademark recognised globally as a signifier of authentic, high-quality goods. To protect the shape of the design itself, regardless of any text printed on it, Levi’s uses blank tabs on approximately one in 10 products. The filing asserts that the defendants knew their use of the pocket tab would harm Levi’s and targeted the brand specifically.

The legal action stems from a 2010 settlement in which S-Double committed to avoiding the sale of pants with labels or tabs affixed to the vertical seam of a rear pocket. Levi’s alleges that S-Double subsequently resumed selling shirts and pants featuring red, rectangular tabs on the outer edge of pockets, as well as shirts with white tabs. These designs are claimed to be nearly identical to Levi’s protected trade dress, infringing on its intellectual property rights.

Levi’s notified S-Double and Globe of the alleged infringement in March 2026, demanding that the defendants cease sales and provide sales information for all infringing products since 2011. The company states it received no response to these demands. Consequently, Levi’s filed the lawsuit in June 2026, seeking an injunction to stop the sale of goods resembling the pocket tab trademark, a full list of individuals to whom infringing items were sold, and compensation for lost profits, damages, interest, and legal costs.

The complaint cites “incalculable and irreparable damage” to Levi’s goodwill, reputation, and consumer standing. Levi’s contends that money damages and other remedies are inadequate to address the harm caused by the defendants’ actions. Globe, which owns S-Double and is valued at approximately $71 million (A$100 million), primarily sells in the Australian market. S-Double was founded in 2008 by Shawn Stussy. Levi’s has previously taken similar legal action against other brands, including Yves Saint Laurent and Brunello Cucinelli, over pocket tab designs.