ATG to pay reported SEK10m after patent dispute decision reversed
Swedish horseracing operator’s initial successful lawsuit against LeeWrangler Sweden, Dressmann and Wrangler Apparel was overturned late last week
ATG has had a lawsuit overturned in Sweden’s Patent and Market Court of Appeal and will subsequently face a reported charge of SEK10m (£730,000) in legal fees.
The dispute centred around a patent infringement lawsuit which the horseracing operator filed against clothing brand LeeWrangler Sweden, Swedish retailer Dressmann andUS-based denim brandWrangler Apparel.
In 2019, Wrangler launched a clothing collection which featured ‘ATG’ branding, which the operator had trademarked with the EU back in 2018.
The clothes were sold in stores across North America, Europe and Asia until 2021.
One of the places to sell the clothes was popular Swedish retail chain Dressmann, which drew the attention of ATG.
ATG sent warning letters to both Wrangler and Dressmann calling for both to stop selling the clothing line, although sales would continue.
The operator then filed a lawsuit against the companies in question with the Patent and Market Court, with the court siding with the firm in February 2023.
The ruling was appealed by the three companies and raised to the Patent and Market Court of Appeal in the Svea Court of Appeal.
On 24 January 2025, the Court of Appeal reversed the initial ruling, acquitting LeeWrangler, Wrangler Apparel and Dressmann in the process.
In addition to clearing the three companies of any trademark infringement, the court ruling has seen ATG become responsible for paying the legal fees.
ATG has confirmed that the new ruling can’t be appealed and will become legally binding effective immediately.
Swedish media has reported those legal fees will amount to around SEK10m.