INDUSTRY ISSUES
Warning: Failure to Label in California Is Known to Cause Litigation Nightmares
By Chelsea Murtha, AAFA Senior Director of Sustainability | December 12, 2024
Labels with a scary warning—that the product you are about to buy is known to the state of California to cause cancer or reproductive harm—are found on everything from cleaning supplies and furniture to bottles of hot sauce and even entire hotel buildings. Soon you will see them on more clothes and shoes—and this is a good thing.
Copyright and Labor Fashion Cases Reach Supreme Court
Issues in copyright and labor kept lawyers busy in 2019; however, the Los Angeles case that made the most headlines was a streetwear brand that brought its case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Designer Mossimo Giannulli Charged in ‘Operation Varsity Blues’ Scandal
One of the most notorious criminal cases of 2019 was the “Operation Varsity Blues” college-admissions scandal in which a number of wealthy parents were accused of crimes ranging from bribery to money laundering in a scheme to guarantee their children’s admission into renowned universities.
PacSun Pays $85,000 Settlement in Discrimination Suit
Anaheim, Calif.–headquartered Pacific Sunwear of California, LLC, will pay $85,000 to settle a discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, it was announced on Sept. 20.
Copyright Case Decision May Change Legal Game
Copyright-infringement lawsuits have been big business in Los Angeles, which is the center of many creative industries including fashion, film and music. But a recent case tackling this topic in Southern California is making waves and might force prospective plaintiffs to be more diligent when filing for copyright protection.
Los Angeles Apparel Contractor Fined for Underpaying Employees
After a six-month investigation, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a nearly $54,000 fine against a Los Angeles garment sewing contractor for underpaying 21 employees.
Fashion Design Giannulli and Wife Plead Not Guilty in College-Bribery Scandal
Fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli and wife, Lori Loughlin, pleaded not guilty on charges stemming from a college-admissions scandal case involving their two daughters.
Fashion Designer Mossimo Giannulli and Wife Charged With Money Laundering
Nearly one month after 33 parents were indicted for paying bribes to get their children into prestigious universities, 16 of them were indicted by a federal grand jury on a secondary charge of fraud and money laundering.
Fashion Designer Mossimo Giannulli and Wife Charged With Money Laundering
More charges filed against 16 parents caught up in college admissions cheating scandal.
Rent the Runway Sued by Competitor FashionPass
Rent the Runway was started in 2009 by two East Coast women who hit upon the idea of renting out clothes to a broad range of women who like to mix up their wardrobe but may not have the money to buy a full closet of clothes.
Fashion Designer Mossimo Giannulli and Wife Accused of Paying Bribes to Get Daughters Into USC
Los Angeles fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli and his wife were named in a massive federal indictment accusing wealthy individuals of paying bribes to get their children into prestigious universities.
New California Laws to Alter Workplace Rules
Ringing in the new year means ringing in a whole set of new laws that are important for employers to know. Most of these laws go into effect Jan. 1, but the minimum-wage increase in Los Angeles doesn’t take effect until July 1.
Agriculture Improvement Act Opens Door to Hemp Cultivation
Under the recently passed Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, signed by the Trump administration, hemp has been removed from the Controlled Substances Act, which was signed by President Richard Nixon in 1970.
Guess? Inc. Fined $45 Million for Violating EU Commerce Regulations
Following an antitrust investigation opened in June 2017, the European Commission has fined Los Angeles–based apparel brand Guess? Inc. for alleged practices the commission deemed restrictive to retailers.
L.A. Textiles Executives Sentenced to Prison for Laundering Mexican Cartel Drug Money
The owners of Pacific Eurotex Corp., a textile company in Los Angeles, were sentenced to federal prison after they pleaded guilty last year to federal money-laundering and tax-evasion charges.
Levi’s Sues Yves Saint Laurent America for Trademark Infringement
The famous trademarked red, blue or white tab found on Levi Strauss & Co.’s products has led the San Francisco denim maker to bring legal action against Yves Saint Laurent America, the American segment of the Parisian fashion house founded in the early 1960s.
