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WILLIAMSPORT -- The last descendant of its founder to serve in an executive capacity at Woolrich has accused the company of spreading false information about it and him.
Nicholas P. Brayton, who was CEO and president from 2012 until May 2019, makes the allegations in a suit filed Tuesday in U.S. Middle District Court against Woolrich Inc. and Woolrich International.
Woolrich Inc., which brands itself as "The Original Outdoor Clothing Company," is headquartered in the Clinton County village that bears its name. Woolrich International is based in London.
The former family-owned company founded in 1830 by John Rich was acquired in 2016 by its European partner W.P. Lavori in Corso.
Manufacturing activities at Woolrich ceased two years later when the oldest continuously operating vertical woolen mill in the United States shut down. Offices and a company store still remain there.
Attempts to obtain a reaction to the suit were unsuccessful because the person who answered the phone in Woolrich said the executives are in Italy.
Brayton, who now lives in Louisville, Kentucky, contends in his suit that the dissemination of marketing materials provided with each product purchased that contain his name opens him up to potential liability.
He claims he had no knowledge the company was continuing to use the misleading marketing materials for 20 months after his separation in 2019.
The e-commerce division was responsible for disseminating the materials and it reported to Woolrich's team in Europe and an individual in the company's New York office, he says.
Brayton contends his name and likeness as a lineal descendant of John Rich have commercial value.
Unauthorized use of his name and signature on deceptive advertising that includes the woolen mill still is operational is a financial benefit to the company and damages his character and reputation, Brayton says.
His suit claims violations of the state's Right of Publicity Statute and Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, invasion of privacy by misappropriation of identity, false advertising and unjust enrichment.
Brayton is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. There is no information in the suit on why he no longer is with the company.
When interviewed by PennLive in March 2019, Brayton said although Woolrich no longer manufactures anything in Clinton County, the company was thriving.
Nearly 40 workers were furloughed when the mill closed but at the time of the interview, he said 55 were working in Woolrich.