NuBra Maker Sues N.Y. Innerwear Co.

Intimate apparel maker Bragel International Inc., based in Pomona, Calif., has filed a complaint in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles against Staten Island, N.Y.–based NY Intimates Inc., charging the company with violating its patent for strapless bras.

Bragel is seeking a permanent injunction as well as monetary damages against NY Intimates to prevent the company from selling a strapless brassiere system that Bragel claims is similar to its NuBra line. The NuBra system features silicone cups that are aimed at enhancing the female form.

Bragel principals David S. Chen, Jasper Chang and Alice Chen obtained a patent for the system on July 6, 2004, according to the complaint. Before then, NY Intimates had been marketing a similar product, which the plaintiffs claim violates the Bragel patent. Bragel, which has been marketing strapless bras for more than 10 years, filed for the patent in 2002.

The plaintiffs are seeking to enjoin NY Intimates from producing the product. Bragel also wants the defendant to destroy all existing inventory and pay damages and interest related to sales of the product as well as attorney fees.

Bragel is suing overseas companies Seomdol Co. Ltd. and Seomdol Europa SL for similar alleged infringements.

Robert McAllister