Levi Strauss has allegedly accused Wet Seal of using designs “confusingly similar” to its trademark pocket stitch.

US jeans and casualwear manufacturer, Levi Strauss & Co., is allegedly suing women’s fashion brand Wet Seal over its trademarked pocket-stitch design, the Toronto Star has reported.

According to the newspaper, womenswear brand Wet Seal is accused of using patterns that are “confusingly similar” to the design used by Levi Strauss since 1873.

A complaint filed by Levi Strauss on 20 November in federal court in San Jose, California, stated: “These acts of trademark infringement have been committed with the intent to cause confusion, mistake or deception,” the publication said.

Earlier in 2007, Levi Strauss filed a lawsuit against Polo Ralph Lauren also accusing the luxury brand of copying its pocket stitch design.

Wet Seal describes itself as a specialty retailer of fashionable and contemporary apparel and accessory items, and currently operates 420 stores in 48 US states.

The company last week recorded third quarter losses of US$3.3 million (£1.6 million), down from a net income of US$2.4m the previous year.