Woman claims Victoria's Secret stole her bra
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A New York woman filed suit against Limited Brands Inc Monday alleging the parent company of Victoria's Secret stole her idea for its Very Sexy 100-way strapless convertible bra.
Katerina Plew sued in U.S. District Court in lower Manhattan, saying Victoria's Secret infringed her May 2004 patent and knew about the patent since at least April 2006.
"I came up with the idea when I was trying to find a bra to go with one of the two dresses that I could wear to my triplets' christening," said Plew, 38. "I went crazy looking for a bra where the straps wouldn't show and couldn't find anything."
Her triplets are now nine years old.
Plew, a single mother who works as a paralegal, said she researched her product visiting stores and looking through catalogues, and "that's when I came up with the idea."
She said she spent about $12,000 to patent the product and developed a prototype.
"When I realized how much it would cost to produce, I started contacting companies," she said.
Plew had an appointment to meet with a Victoria's Secret executive to whom she had mailed a copy of her patent, as well as a DVD with pictures of a model showing her bra, only to have the appointment abruptly canceled.
"A year later I walked into a Victoria's Secret and there was my bra up on the wall," she said.
The bra retails for between $50 and $56, according to the Victoria's Secret website. Plew is seeking unspecified damages.
Limited Brands said it does not comment on pending litigation.
(Reporting by Leslie Gevirtz; Editing by Brian Moss;)
