Imitation of product configuration held to constitute act of unfair competition

In a case involving two rival clothing companies, the Tokyo District Court has held that the defendant's sale of ladies' apparel with a similar configuration as that of the plaintiff constituted an act of unfair competition under Article 2(1)(3) of the Unfair Competition Prevention Law. The court ordered the defendant to pay compensation to the plaintiff under Article 4, but refused to order the defendant to advertise an apology under Article 14.