A dispute about the sale of Dublin GAA jerseys in Penneys stores is set for the High Court tomorrow. It is claimed consumers may mistake the Penneys version for the official jersey because of similarities between the two.
Sports goods manufacturers O'Neills and Dublin GAA County Board yesterday brought High Court proceedings to try to stop Penneys selling the jerseys complained of, which it is claimed are similar to those designed or manufactured by the plaintiffs.
Ms Emily Egan, for O'Neills and Dublin GAA, got leave from Mr Justice Lavan to serve notice on Penneys Ltd, Todco Ltd and Primark Holdings of their intention to seek an injunction tomorrow restraining the defendants selling or distributing jerseys which, by reason of their similarity, are likely to cause confusion and lead to the defendants' jerseys being passed off as those of the plaintiffs.
In an affidavit, Mr Paul Towell, a director of O'Neills Irish International Sports Co Ltd, said O'Neills had a mutually beneficial relationship with Dublin County Board GAA for 40 years.
O'Neills had an agreement for the design and manufacture of the team jersey and made a contribution to the board representing a percentage of the price.
The jersey was stocked by Penneys until recently when they started to sell the jersey now complained of, Mr Towell said.
He believed the defendants' product was manufactured abroad and retailed for €15. It was also inferior in weight and quality to O'Neills's jersey.