Business news : Hurley Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Old Navy

Hurley International filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Old Navy late last week in federal court alleging the retailer is ripping off Hurley's  Phantom boardshorts. The lawsuit was filed on Aug. 2 in the California Central District Court and asks for a jury trial for the patent infringement case.

In 2010 and 2012, Hurley was awarded two patents relating to components of material, construction and stretch, and how those elements work together in the Phantom boardshorts, according to the suit.

Phantom was launched in 2007 and has been awarded SIMA’s Boardshort of the Year for four consecutive years.

There was some uncertainty in the industry when Hurley was awarded the patent as to whether the company would file lawsuits against industry competitors.