Burberry sues JCPenney for copying ‘famous’ check pattern

Don’t mess with Burberry’s checks.

The luxury apparel maker is suing JCPenney for allegedly copying its trademark check pattern in scarves, coats and other items sold in its stores.

In addition to its legal claims, Burberry, which calls its check pattern “famous” and “distinctive,” channels its snooty image by claiming Penney’s clothes are “inferior” and “substandard” to its pricier togs.

The Levy Group, a New York City apparel supplier to Penney, is also named in the suit, filed in Manhattan federal court.

London-based Burberry owns trademarks for the check design and is concerned that shoppers might think that Burberry is affiliated with Penney.

Such a perception would cause “irreparable harm” to the nearly century-old business that “has attained one of the highest levels of recognition among luxury brands,” Burberry huffed in its court papers.

Penney declined to comment. Levy Group did not return a call for comment.

The original check design in red, camel, black and white was first introduced in a lining of Burberry’s trench coat in 1920 and, decades later, the company acquired trademarks to protect it.

Burberry values the infringement at up to $2 million for each trademark Levy and Penney are allegedly violating.

Burberry shares closed trading on the London Stock Exchange Wednesday at 1176.31 pence, or $17.08, basically unchanged.