On October 8, 2025, Cato of Texas LP initiated legal proceedings against Oakley Inc., alleging that Oakley’s use of the “Kato” and “Oakley Kato” marks for its sunglasses infringes upon Cato’s established trademarks. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, asserts claims under the Lanham Act for trademark infringement and unfair competition, alongside related claims under North Carolina law. Cato seeks injunctive relief to prevent Oakley’s use of the contested marks, as well as monetary damages, disgorgement of profits, enhanced damages, and attorneys’ fees.
Prior to this lawsuit, Cato had filed an opposition with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) on January 16, 2025, challenging Oakley’s application to register the “Oakley Kato” mark. This opposition is currently pending. The TTAB case details are accessible through the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s TTABVUE system.
Oakley, known for its sports eyewear, filed the trademark application for “Oakley Kato” on August 8, 2022, covering a range of optical products, including sunglasses. The application is detailed on Justia Trademarks.
Cato’s complaint emphasizes the similarity between its “Cato” mark and Oakley’s “Kato,” highlighting the potential for consumer confusion due to the near-identical nature of the marks and the overlap in product offerings. The case is docketed as Cato of Texas L.P. v. Oakley, Inc., case number 3:2025cv00772, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.
As the litigation progresses, the outcome will be closely monitored by legal professionals and industry stakeholders, given its potential implications for trademark enforcement and brand protection strategies within the fashion and eyewear sectors.