MILWAUKEE (AP) — A Wisconsin woman who created a bra with pockets has filed a federal patent infringement lawsuit against another person who came up with a similar idea.
Tammy Pintor, owner of TJ Secret in Menomonee Falls, has a patent for a brassiere that holds and conceals electronic devices, cosmetics, money or other items. Court documents say Pintor began designing a pocket bra because she was frustrated that there was no product on the market that offered a secure, yet inconspicuous way to store small objects.
Meanwhile, Leslie Van Dorf of Nashotah was working on her own idea and launched a limited liability corporation called Purse-Les. Van Dorf promoted the product with a website and even got it placed in the swag bags at this year's Golden Globe awards.
Pintor learned about Van Dorf's company and sent her a cease-and-desist letter that also asked for an accounting of all Purse-Les apparel sales. Van Dorf said she ignored the letter.
"If she's claiming she's not getting results because of me, we should look at how we promote our products," Van Dorf said.
Pintor's attorney, Matthew McClean, tells the Journal Sentinel that his client was advised early on that getting a patent would help her find manufacturers and distributors.
"We think a patent gives us legal right and a legal advantage," McClean said. "Their efforts are now to protect what they created."
Van Dorf said her Purse-Les product doesn't come close to infringing on Pintor's patent.
"It's not a bra, it's a top," Van Dorf said.