IP Law Daily, COPYRIGHT NEWS: Target Corporation sued again for copyright infringement over infant sleepwear design, (Nov 19, 2025)

By Carolin Dennis, B.Sc., LL.B., LL.M.

The complaint alleges that the retail giant continued to infringe a baby clothing company’s copyright in its fabric design even after the federal jury in Austin, Texas asked the retail giant to pay it $1.2 million in another copyright lawsuit.

A Colorado-based company Cat and Dogma LLC (plaintiff) specializing in organic baby clothing filed a complaint for direct copyright infringement under the Copyright Act in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado against retail giant Target Corporation. The plaintiff seeks a judgment finding that Target Corporation has infringed on the plaintiff’s rights in a fabric design pattern, well as appropriate damages and monetary relief (Cat and Dogma LLC v.Target Corporation, No. 1:25-cv-03662-SBP (D. Colo. filed on Nov. 14, 2025)).

According to the complaint, the plaintiff owns a textile print of pattern in two designs involving the phrase “I love you” in lowercase cursive script (Print), arranged in repeating rows on products. The Print is an original, creative work in which the plaintiff owns a valid copyright. The Print is registered with the United States Copyright Office (USCO) and the plaintiff has complied with all statutory formalities under the Copyright Act and under regulations published by the USCO. The plaintiff has not granted Target Corporation a license or the right to use the Print in any manner, nor has it assigned any of its exclusive rights in the copyright to Target Corporation.

In 2019, the plaintiff’s predecessor in interest, also named Cat & Dogma, LLC but based in Texas rather than Colorado, brought an action in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas for copyright infringement (First Action). The First Action resulted in a jury verdict and judgment for the plaintiff wherein the jury held that plaintiff had valid copyrights that Target Corporation infringed on those copyrights, and that plaintiff was entitled to receive $1.2 million in damages. The plaintiff contended that despite a determination by a federal jury in Austin, Texas, that Target Corporation was infringing on the plaintiff’s copyrights in the First Action, Target Corporation continued to infringe of the plaintiff’s copyrights by producing additional products using the plaintiff’s Print and engaged in this misconduct knowingly and in violation of the United States copyright laws.

The complaint provides several examples of Target Corporation’s alleged infringement on the plaintiff’s Print. These include: Plush Baby Blanket – I Love You Script – Cloud Island; I Love You Muslin Swaddle Blanket - Black/White - 3pk - Cloud Island; Muslin Swaddle Blanket I love You - Cloud Island™ White; and Fitted Crib Sheet I Love You - Cloud Island™ White/Gray.

The plaintiff claimed that each of the infringing products incorporates its Print that was directly reproduced by the Target Corporation in manufacturing the infringing goods. Further, the Print was reproduced without license or permission, thereby infringing on the plaintiff’s copyrights in and to the Print. Additionally, the plaintiffs argued that Target Corporation cannot claim that it was not aware of the infringing activities because such a claim would amount to only willful blindness to the infringement on the part of Target Corporation.

Claims, remedies sought. The plaintiff is seeking a jury trial for direct copyright infringement. The plaintiff asks the district court for an order enjoining Target Corporation from any infringing use of any of the plaintiff's works and finding that Target Corporation infringed the plaintiff’s copyright interest in and to the Print by copying and displaying it without a license or consent. The plaintiff also seeks an award of actual damages and disgorgement of all of Target Corporation’s profits attributable to the infringements; costs of litigation; pre-judgment interest; and any other relief that the district court deems just and proper.

The Case is No. 1:25-cv-03662-SBP.

Attorneys: Craig Sanders (Sanders Law Group) for Cat and Dogma LLC.

Companies: Target Corporation

News: Copyright ColoradoNews