Marvel and its owner, Disney's Buena Vista Home Entertainment, are being sued by the German manufacturer of the silver briefcase case used by Samuel L. Jackson in 'The Avengers'.
The company, Rimowa GmbH, is upset that it Marvel not only used its case in the film without any attribution, but continues to do in its marketing and box design for the DVD set without any license from them.
"Images of the replica briefcase on Marvel's advertising materials, and fan video from Marvel's product display at this year's Comic-Con convention, show the plastic 'replica case' to be a close copy of Rimowa's Topas attaché case in every respect but quality -- from the proportions and coloring, to the style of the handle and latches, and, of course, in the use of the trademarked parallel ridges around the body of the case," it says in its lawsuit.
The briefcase is used by Samuel L Jackson's Nick Fury in 'The Avengers' to keep all dossiers of the different superheroes in check.
Rimowa says it had no objection with the actual briefcase being used in the film but added, "Marvel did not obtain any license or authorization to make replica copies of the cases for any purpose."
Rimowa is alleging trademark infringement over Marvel's marketing and its box set for the first 'Avengers' film called, which will ship as early as September 25.
Marvel and its owner, Disney's Buena Vista Home Entertainment, are being sued by the German manufacturer of the silver briefcase case used by Samuel L. Jackson in 'The Avengers'.
