Madonna sued over "Material Girl" clothing line

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Madonna has been hit with a lawsuit over her new “Material Girl” fashion line for teenagers by a California clothing company that says it has been using the name since 1997.

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L.A Triumph filed a lawsuit against the pop superstar in the California Central District court on Thursday, just two weeks after the Madonna line went on sale in Macy’s.

The company said in its suit that it has been “continually selling similar clothes in similar retail outlets at similar price points under their Material Girl brand since at least 1997, and Madonna and her newfound company do not have the right to trade in the same space under this brand.”

Madonna teamed up with her 13 year-old daughter Lourdes to design the 1980s inspired clothing line, which borrows from the pop star’s punk-girl style when she rose to fame in the 1980s and earned the moniker, material girl.

“Gossip Girl” star Taylor Momsen is the face of the brand.

L.A. Triumph wants the judge to rule that Madonna’s use of “Material Girl” creates “deception” in the marketplace. It is also asking for Madonna and her company to turn over all the profits from their line.

Macy’s on Friday declined to comment on the litigation. Madonna’s spokeswoman could not immediately be reached.

(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)