Macy’s sues firm trying to restore its legacy brands

Firm tries to revive old brands such as Bullock’s and The Broadway.

File this one under “did you think to ask a lawyer regarding this first?”

Department store firm Macy’s has filed a federal lawsuit (pdf) against a firm that’s trying to bring back Macy’s legacy brands.

The firm, Strategic Marks, LLC, has filed trademark applications for some of Macy’s brands such as May Firm and Robinson’s, and set up shop on the web at RetroDepartmentStores.com.

As stated by the web site, the firm plan to “bring back nine of the great department stores of the 20th century: Joseph Magnin, Bullock’s, May, Robinson’s May, Jordan Marsh, Filene’s, The Broadway, The Bon Marche, and Abraham & Strauss, and re-build and restore these well-loved brands.”

It’s starting with an online store — complete with the actual logos these stores used in the past — and hopes to open physical stores as well.

“We’re thrilled to be able to bring back a little part of Americana home so watch this space for more updates!” the site states.

I think watching this space for lawsuits will be more interesting.