Lululemon claims Costco knocked off its designs. Online, the big-box retailer has already won

Lululemon has filed a lawsuit against Costco, alleging that the retailer has infringed on its copyright with several "knockoff" athleisure products. The lawsuit claims that Costco's products, including jackets and pants, are intended to mimic Lululemon's popular designs. Lululemon argues that the ornamental features of its products, such as the lines on the front of its Define jacket, are copyrighted and should not be replicated by other companies. However, many consumers on social media are siding with Costco, viewing dupe design culture as standard practice and expressing frustration at Lululemon's high prices. This is not the first time Lululemon has taken action against alleged copycats, having previously filed a lawsuit against Peloton and hosting an event encouraging consumers to trade in their dupes for authentic products. Despite this, it appears that the public has already sided with Costco, with many commenters stating that they would never mistake Costco apparel for Lululemon. The lawsuit highlights the growing trend of dupe design culture, which is becoming increasingly normalized. Lululemon's lawsuit is based on copyright infringement, which occurs when a copyrighted work is reproduced, distributed, or displayed without permission. The outcome of the lawsuit remains to be seen, but it has sparked a larger conversation about the role of dupes in the fashion industry.