Under Armour files trademark lawsuit against Md. apparel company Armor and Glory

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. - A real life David and Goliath story is playing out in Prince George's County. Under Armour, one of the biggest makers of sportswear, has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit on another company.

At issue? The company's name: Armor & Glory.

The company's owner said the name and his inspiration come from a higher authority.

For Terrence Jackson, the Bible isn't just a good book. It is his playbook for life.

The passage, "Put on the full armor of God," is at the center of this controversy.

A devout Christian, Jackson said the name Armor & Glory came to him after shopping for sportswear and finding too many negative images.

"God woke me up out of my sleep with the name Armor and Glory pounding in my head," he said.

Out of his basement, Armor & Glory sells its shirts for $25 each. Business was good until the mail arrived one day.

"We got the letter soon after we filed for our trademark," said Jackson.

The letter was from sports apparel giant Under Armour. It was a trademark infringement claim ordering Jackson to cease and desist, claiming Armor & Glory was a "similar naming convention to Under Armour's."

"Cease and desist, turn over all our apparel, pay their attorney fees," Jackson said.

He said he was not trying to copy Under Armour.

"Never," he said. "They actually never entered my mind at all."

But Under Armour's actions may have had an unintended effect. Since this all came out, Jackson said Armor & Glory's sales have increased from 30 to 40 percent.

We reached out to both Under Armour's spokespeople and lawyers, but they have not reached back.

As for Jackson, he said he will keep selling his shirts and if he winds up in court, he is ready to play David to Under Armour's Goliath.

"The only person who owns the word armor is God," Jackson said.