May 7 (Reuters) - Levi Strauss has ended its

lawsuit accusing the Italian luxury fashion brand Brunello

Cucinelli of infringing its familiar, trademarked

rectangular pocket tab.

Levi notified a federal judge in Oakland, California on

Tuesday that it was dismissing the case with prejudice, meaning

it cannot be brought again. Settlement talks began shortly after

Levi sued in January.

Neither Levi nor its lawyers immediately responded to

requests for comment. A Brunello Cucinelli spokeswoman had no

immediate comment.

Levi accused Brunello Cucinelli of selling clothing that

contained "nearly identical" copies of its tab, which the

retailer of denim and other clothing trademarked in 1938, and

provided 14 photos illustrating the alleged infringement.

Based in San Francisco, Levi has in recent years filed

several lawsuits to protect its tabs, saying the sale of

infringing products would confuse consumers and cause

irreparable damage to its goodwill.

Levi brands also include Dockers and Beyond Yoga.

The company has settled similar lawsuits against Kering's

Yves Saint Laurent and LVMH's Kenzo.

The case is Levi Strauss & Co ( LEVI ) v Brunello Cucinelli USA Inc

et al, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No.

24-00399.