Tuesday, April 22, 2008

New York Mother Sues Victoria's Secret for Stealing Her Bra Design


Katerina Plew showing copy of her evidence

Single mother and paralegal Katerina Plew, 38, of Selden, N.Y., has sued Victoria's Secret over the popular Very Sexy 100-way Strapless Convertible Bra, because she is the rightful owner of the May 2004 patent for a convertible bra.

She alleged that her idea for the improved "brassiere" - patent No. 6,733,362 - came out of necessity in August 1999, when she wanted a bra to hide under a dress for the christening of triplets David, Thomas and Alexis who are now 9 years old.

"I needed it. I looked around for it. I obsessed over it. Some women, they walk around with straps hanging out. That's not me. I didn't like bra straps. That's a pet peeve," Katerina Plew said.

The controversial suit was filed in Manhattan Federal Court yesterday, Monday April 21, 2008.

Ms. Plew showed the sample of her patented design to prove that Victoria's Secret Very Sexy 100-way Strapless Convertible Bra, was copied from her "bra" of detachable straps with hooks and numerous eyelets that allow the user 100 different ways to wear it. Instead of buying a bra to match each dress, users just replace the straps.






Plew's bra has an apparatus for connecting a pair of shoulder straps. The Victoria's Secret model comes with three sets of straps, which allow the bra to be used in any number of styles, including as a halter or strapless, and sells for $50 and $56.

Plew claimed that she had mailed a copy of the design of her strapless bra to executives of the company with the DVD of a model wearing it and she was given an appointment, but they later canceled the appointment. A year later, she was stunned to see the exact design of her bra in the Victoria's Secret shop near her home in Selden, Long Island.

CLICK HERE FOR THE COURT PAPERS, INCLUDING BRA DESIGN.

From New York Daily News.

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