Boots being sued over claims it copied design of firm's travel pillow

RETAILER SAYS IT WILL FIGHT INFRINGEMENT CASE IN HIGH COURT

- By ALISTAIR GRAY

A TRAVEL accessories company is suing Boots over claims that travel pillows sold by the high street giant imitate its “particularly ergonomic” design and breach its intellectual property rights.

Travel Blue has launched a lawsuit against Boots at the High Court in London, demanding the beauty and health retailer stop infringing its design. It has called for unquantified damages and wants Boots to destroy or hand over unsold pillows, reports the Financial Times.

U-shaped pillows have existed since at least the 1920s, when Elizabeth Millson of New York patented one in the US for use in baths. Modern neck-supporting products provide a degree of comfort to passengers who are confronted with limited legroom.