LaHart's own line of Harvard ties is available at the Coop and select Neiman Marcus department stores.
Calixto said he estimated Ralph Lauren took in about $25,000 in retail sales revenue from the HLS ties. In collecting royalty fees, the University usually demands 7.5 percent of the wholesale price of the merchandise, Calixto said.
Lee Storn, Ralph Lauren's vice president for intellectual property rights and associate general counsel, responded promptly to the University's complaint, Calixto said.
Storn said he could not comment on the matter.
Calixto said no one at Ralph Lauren ever "explained how it happened," but he expressed confidence that no similar dispute would arise in the future.
"[The lawyers for the retailer]were very friendly," Calixto said. "It's a one-time thing, and they promised it won't happen again."