It's Ferragamo v. Ferragamo in battle over trade name

The Salvatore Ferragamo store on Fifth Ave. in midtown Manhattan. Ferragamo produces luxury goods including shoes, handbags, clothing and more./ DW labs Inc./Shutterstock.com

While it doesn't appear too likely that an Italian luxury goods maker would be mistaken for a former quarterback, that issue has apparently caused some worry at Italian firm Salvatore Ferragamo SpA.

The high-end accessories firm is suing former Los Angeles Rams quarterback Vince Ferragamo, saying he is infringing on its trademark by operating his namesake winery in Southern California, according to last week's Reuters report.

Ferragamo SpA says in a complaint filed in federal court in Manhattan that consumers are likely to be confused into thinking the two entities are related.

Mr. Ferragamo was accused of illegally selling his wine, which goes for $59 a bottle, with the Tenuta di Ferragamo name and festooning his winery's website with images of Tuscany and the Italian countryside even though it is located in Orange Park Acres, California, near Los Angeles.

Now the question remains, even if Mr. Ferragamo does agree to change his winery's name, what would he change it to? Even the Italian firm would have to agree “Vince's Winery,” leaves something to be desired.