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By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS and ANNE D’INNOCENZIO, AP Business Writers

NEW YORK (AP) — Fashion “dupes,” or less expensive versions of high-end clothing and other accessories, are just about everywhere these days. They’re also drawing some businesses into legal battles.

In the latest example, Lululemon filed a lawsuit against Costco on Friday, accusing the wholesale club operator of selling lower-priced duplicates of some of its popular athleisure apparel.

Across the retail industry, it’s far from a new phenomenon. But social media is pushing the culture of online dupe shopping to new heights as influencers direct their followers to where they can buy the knockoffs. Want a taste of Hermès’ $1,000 fuzzy slippers? Target has a version for $15. Looking for a $2,800 price Bottega Veneta hobo bag? There’s a version for $99 on online clothing and accessories upstart Quince, which has become a go-to for fashionistas.

It’s not even the first time Lululemon has encountered what it says are knockoffs of its clothing, which often carry steep price tags of over $100 each for leggings and sporty zip-ups. Without specifying additional sellers beyond Costco in Friday’s complaint, Lululemon noted that a handful of companies have “replicated or copied” its apparel to sell cheaper offerings — including those popularized online through hashtags like “LululemonDupes” on TikTok and other social media platforms. read more

By MATT O’BRIEN, AP Technology Writer

Microsoft is firing thousands of workers, its second mass layoff in months and its largest in more than two years.

The tech giant began sending out layoff notices Wednesday that hit the company’s Xbox video game business and other divisions.

The company declined to say how many people would be laid off but said that it will comprise less than 4% of the workforce it had a year ago.

Microsoft said the cuts will affect multiple teams around the world, including its sales division.

“We continue to implement organizational changes necessary to best position the company and teams for success in a dynamic marketplace,” it said in a statement.

Xbox CEO Phil Spencer also sent a memo to employees Wednesday that said the cuts would position the video game business “for enduring success and allow us to focus on strategic growth areas.”

It would also “follow Microsoft’s lead in removing layers of management to increase agility and effectiveness,” Spencer wrote. read more

Ford Motor Co. is recalling more than 200,000 vehicles because a software defect can cause the rearview camera to fail, increasing the risk of a crash and injury.

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Ford told U.S. highway safety regulators that the camera can either display a blank image or that the image may remain on the display after the driver finishes backing up, causing a distraction.

Dealerships will eventually update the camera software free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by July 28. read more

Three Central Florida restaurants shut down the week of June 22-28, according to data from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Orange

La Parada Cafe Restaurant at 730 Sand Lake Road in Orlando shut down on June 23. Inspectors found 12 violations, three of which were deemed high priority. Those included live roaches found among the storage racks and dish area as well as eggs stored with broken shells and the improper storage of a chemical spray bottle near clean dishes. Inspectors returned on June 24 finding no roaches, although still with nine violations, but said the restaurant met inspection standards and allowed it to reopen.

Brevard

Island Hotel of Space Coast at 260 E. Merritt Island Causeway in Merritt Island was closed on June 24 with seven violations, including five labeled high priority. Those included rodent droppings found in several areas including the kitchen, evidence of a rodent burrow, and milk and butter held at the wrong temperature. Inspectors returned June 30 finding only one basic violation and allowed the venue to reopen. read more

By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS

NEW YORK (AP) — Anne Wojcicki’s bid to buy 23andMe, the genetic testing company she cofounded nearly 20 years ago, has received the court greenlight.

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That means Wojcicki’s nonprofit TTAM Research Institute will purchase “substantially all” of San Francisco-based 23andMe’s assets for $305 million. The transaction — which arrives more than three months after 23andMe filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy — is set to officially close in the coming weeks.

“I am thrilled that TTAM will be able to build on the mission of 23andMe to help people access, understand and benefit from the human genome,” Wojcicki said in a statement Monday — later adding that, “the future of health care belongs to all of us.” read more