Cambridge Satchel Settles Lawsuit against Zatchel Copycats
Tuesday, August 28, 2012 The Cambridge Satchel Company-the creator of one of our favorite "it" bags- has just won a settlement for its suit against former manufacturer-turned-copycat brand Zatchels. In 2008, Julie Deane started the Cambridge Satchel Company in England. As demand increased beyond Deane's production capability, she decided to contract some of her manufacturing to Leicester Remedials and Sewing. In 2011, Deane discovered that Leicester Remedials had introduced near-identical products and was selling them as "Zatchels."
Cambridge Satchel vs. Zatchel
Shortly after, Deane filed an infringement suit for violation of intellectual property rights in U.K.'s High Court. She claimed that Zatchels was using her designs, patterns, and leathers in its line of bags. "I want to raise awareness of the misconduct that has taken place and to assure our customers that we will stick to our principles and continue to create the best products for them," Deane said in a statement regarding the settlement. "Despite this negative experience, The Cambridge Satchel Company remains committed to manufacturing in the UK." The company decided to settle for an undisclosed sum "to avoid a protracted and long drawn out litigation so that we are able to concentrate on our business." Whether Zatchel's will have to cease production of the bags remains unclear. Nevertheless, we here at TFG are pleased to see another settlement favoring the originality and creative endeavors of a brand like The Cambridge Satchel Company. And at price points ranging from 100-200 dollars, we never understood the incentive to produce knock-off versions anyways.
Reader Comments (1)
Julie should be sued by 'the leather satchel company'. She approached them saying wanted to work together and went copying the whole style from 'the leather satchel company'...