Hanesbrands sues AdoreMe for push up bra patent infringement

By

Cassidy Mantor

Published
May 12, 2017

MFB International Holdings, dba Maidenform a Hanesbrands affiliate, has sued AdoreMe for patent infringement for a bra cup that “increases the visual appearance of breast size.”

The lawsuit filed by Maidenform was brought in federal court in North Carolina.

According to the complaint, Maidenform has owned the '433 patent since 2012. The design was invented by Steven Castellano for Maidenform at that time.

The specific patented use of the cup is that it is designed to make the wearer's breasts appear "at least two cup sizes" larger. This is accomplished through an innovative cup design structure involving layers that lift the cup and breast upward and inward.

New York-based AdoreMe Inc. has been selling AdoreMe bras that are marketed to increase the wearer's bra cup size by two cups, specifically calling their push up styles "Adds 2 Cups". Maidenform argues this is an infringement of its '433 patent.

Maidenform has alleged AdoreMe's infringement has caused "irreparable harm to its business" and is seeking damages, attorney's fees and a permanent injunction against the use of its '433 patent.

This is not Maidenform's first time enforcing its '433 patent. In September of last year it sued Frederick's of Hollywood for a similar bra cup patent infringement and presumably won.

The Frederick's lawsuit was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount. It was dismissed with prejudice, meaning the parties will not continue to try to sue each other on the patent infringement issue.

Like in the Frederick's case, Maidenform has again requested a jury trial to enforce its patent.