Victoria's Secret defends bra brand

VICTORIA'S Secret is no stranger to catwalk parades in New York and London but suddenly the market-dominant lingerie maker is making headlines in a place better known for pinstripes and boring red ties - Washington, DC.

The global bras-and-panties retailer, which is owned by The Limited, is involved in a trademark dispute before the US Supreme Court and was the target of a television decency review recently resolved by the Federal Communications Commission.

In the court case, Victoria's Secret is trying to stop a Kentucky-based adult sex-toys shop from using a similar name. Victoria's Secret claims the adult store, Victor's Little Secret, which sells 'Everything for Romantic Encounters' is infringing on its trademark and diluting the value of the Victoria's Secret brand name.

Several lower courts have sided with Victoria's Secret but the adult store owner has appealed all the way to the Supreme Court. The sex shop claims even though the names are similar, Victoria's Secret can't show it has been harmed economically so no violation has occurred.

The FCC, meanwhile, recently ruled that no harm was done when Victoria's Secret broadcast on network television a lingerie fashion show during prime time. Disney-owned network ABC had broadcast the fashion show of women's underclothing in November from 9pm to 10pm, attracting an audience of 12.4m viewers, as well as a raft of complaints from those who objected to the scantily-clad women appearing on television when young children might be watching. The FCC said it reviewed the complaints but decided the show could go on in prime time.