extra texture :: marketing news + trends

Victoria’s Secret was sued by women’s clothing retailer Juicy Couture for allegedly copying packaging shaped like lollipops, bonbons and ice-cream cones. (more)

Counterfeit shoes might be biggest Midwest bust. (more)

Radiohead has allowed one of its songs to be used in a new music video, aimed at raising awareness of human trafficking. (more)

Having a dog in the house reduces the risk that young children will develop allergies. (more)

John Lennon’s handwritten lyrics for the hit song “Give Peace a Chance” will go under the hammer at auction in July and are expected to fetch 200-300,000 pounds ($400-600,000). (more)

CollegeHumor.com’s founders want to help their audience members fulfill “their stupidest wish ever” — maybe a machine to dress them in the morning or a chute from their bedroom to the front door. (more)

Philadelphia’s hip-hop collective the Roots are off to a rough start at their new label. (more)

Some spaceflyers are picking their brains to come up with the future of space sports. (more)

Does your mechanic have the data needed to fix your car? (more)

Three Roman Catholic priests have geared up for global superstardom by signing a £1 million contract with music giant Sony BMG. (more)

House hunting on the Internet? Now, it’s easy to check out the neighbors and the neighborhood, too. (more)

Are you really serious about selling your home in this market? Then be prepared to try anything - and everything. (more)

They work under the cover of night, armed with seed bombs, chemical weapons and pitchforks. Their tactics are anarchistic, their attitude revolutionary. Their aim: to beautify. (more)

Laptop orchestras bridge the distance. (more)

After much hype, Under Armour set to launch line of footwear. (more)

Forget Miley Cyrus. Check out Disney’s Chinese underwear ad. (more)

Hong Kong Disneyland unveiled its own version of the miniature show “It’s a Small World,”, which park managers said would help attract visitors from Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland as well as southeast Asia. (more)

Wal-Mart says company winning more affluent shoppers. (more)

McDonald’s new coffee drinks ignite breakfast wars. (more)

“The Incredible Hulk” returns to theaters on June 13 with tie-in partners including Burger King, 7-Eleven, Kmart, mall retailers, grocery store brands Pringles and Sargento, Airheads candy and Hasbro toys. (more)

Recycling facts and messages provided by the National Recycling Coalition will be featured on 500 million Pepsi cans and 250 million Diet Pepsi cans nationwide. (more)

The Mobile Marketing Association has released mobile advertising guidelines. (more)

A partnership of Paramount Pictures, MGM and Lionsgate to launch a movie channel and video-on-demand service is a risky test of the promise of new media. (more)

Release of latest ‘Grand Theft Auto’ comes under fire. (more)

Business casual: It’s one of the most dreaded word combinations in the office. (more)

Museum breathes life into Portuguese language. (more)

Criminals are enjoying such a life of luxury in British jails that they don’t bother trying to escape. (more)

Residents of the Greek island of Lesbos have launched a legal action to demand the exclusive right to call themselves Lesbians. (more)