WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is taking on a copyright dispute between two manufacturers of cheerleading uniforms.
The justices recently agreed to hear Star Athletica’s appeal of a lower court ruling in favor of industry leader Varsity Brands.
The issue for the Supreme Court is whether the design of cheerleading uniforms, including their stripes and chevrons, can be protected under copyright law.
Varsity sued when Star Athletica published its first catalog of uniforms in 2010. Varsity said its competitor’s uniform designs infringed on Varsity’s copyrights.
A trial court ruled for Star Athletica, but the federal appeals court in Cincinnati sided with Varsity.
