WILKE-RODRIGUEZ CLAIMS AGREEMENT IS NOT TIP TOP
By Adnews Staff
Wilke-Rodriguez, a U.S. men's designer sportswear company is filing a claim against Tip Top Tailors, the Canadian specialty retailer. The claim was filed with the American Arbitration Association for failure to follow the terms of a licensee agreement. In August 1997, Tip Top, owned by Toronto-based Dylex Ltd., entered into a license agreement with Wilke-Rodriguez to manufacture and sell WR products in Canada. WR alleges that Tip Top failed to comply with the agreement by selling unapproved merchandise with the WR trademark and through its use of unapproved advertising and marketing materials which resulted in breach of contract and tarnished the Wilke-Rodriquez brand in Canada. The claim further alleges that Tip Top breached the agreement by terminating it. Elliot Wahle, president and CEO of Dylex told Adnews last week that the matter is in the hands of Dylex's lawyers. He said the demand by WR is not significant in terms of continuing business with them. "We plan to defend our position through the appropriate legal channels," he said. Wilke-Rodriguez sells its brand in the U.S. at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Macy's And Dayton Hudson. Tip Top Tailors operates 110 stores across Canada.