A domestic retail powerhouse has vowed to "vigorously defend its reputation in court" as it goes head-to-head with a global chain.
G-Star Raw and one of its distributors has alleged Jeanswest sold a style of pants that breaches a design it owns the copyright for.
G-Star has taken action against Jeanswest Corporation New Zealand, alleging it ripped off its signature Elwood 5620 design.
The international retailer claimed Jeanswest's 'Dean Biker' denim contained most Elwood 5620 features.
Jeanswest director Wilkin Fon told ragtrader.com.au the retailer would fight the claims in court.
“Jeanswest categorically denies the allegations and will vigorously defend its reputation in court. Jeanswest further considers the litigation extremely frivolous and is confident that its position will be vindicated in court."
The design in question includes oval-shaped knee pads, horizontal stitching running across the back of each knee, a straight line of double stitching coming from the hip to the crotch diagonally across the front of the thigh of each leg, a saddle pad of the back of the jeans and heel guards at the back of each leg.
The Jeanswest item is priced at $34.99, while G-Star's Elwood 5620 retails between $260 and $310.
G-Star is seeking a declaration that Jeanswest infringed its copyright, orders restraining it from reproducing the Elwood design and the handover of any of the allegedly infringing garments.
G-Star is also seeking an an inquiry into damages.