Juicy Couture Inc. sued Limited Brands Inc.'s (LTD) Victoria's Secret units, alleging the lingerie retailer's candy-shaped packaging for its Pink line improperly copies Juicy Couture's Sweet Shoppe packaging.

The designer brand, in a lawsuit filed late Monday in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, alleges that Victoria's Secret introduced a line of products in candy-shaped packaging last October that "embodies the same elements" of Juicy Couture's Sweet Shoppe line of packaging, which resembles lollipops, bonbons and ice cream cones.

Juicy's line of packaging debuted in stores in September 2006, the lawsuit said. Juicy Couture is a direct brand of Liz Claiborne Inc. (LIZ).

"In copying Juicy Couture's distinctive and unique trade dress, defendants crossed the line from design imitation to trade dress infringement," the lawsuit said. "Because of the source-identifying function of Juicy Couture's packaging and the striking similarities, the defendant's packaging is likely to deceive consumers as to the origin of the products contained within."

Victoria's Secret Stores Brand Management Inc., Victoria's Secret Stores LLC and Victoria's Secrets Direct Brand Management LLC are all defendants in the case.

Victoria's Secret didn't immediately return a phone call seeking comment Tuesday.

-Chad Bray, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-227-2017; chad.bray@dowjones.com