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L.L. Bean files lawsuit over Boat and Tote trademark

An L.L.Bean Bote and Tote bag in Freeport, Maine on March 2, 2025.
Tulley Hescock
/
Maine Public
An L.L. Bean Boat and Tote bag in Freeport, Maine on March 2, 2025.

L.L. Bean is suing the Wisconsin-based company 4Imprint for trademark infringement of its signature Boat and Tote bag.

The Freeport-based retailer said it has been manufacturing the iconic canvas bags for more than 60 years. According to court filings, the Boat and Tote is one of the company's most valuable brands.

L.L Bean said 4Imprint's line of Boat Tote products are confusingly similar, arguing the company is intentionally trying to capitalize on the L.L. Bean brand.

The complaint also states that L.L. Bean notified 4Imprint of its trademark rights in January, but 4Imprint refused to cease production of the Boat Tote products.

Kaitlyn Budion is Maine Public’s Bangor correspondent, joining the reporting team after several years working in print journalism.