2021 – Page 2 – Fashion Law Watch

Riding On Coat-tails, Doesn’t Come Free: UK High Court Awards Additional Damages for Oh Polly’s Flagrant Infringement of House of CB’s Unregistered Design Rights

Mar 17 2021

On 24 February 2021, the UK High Court found that a number of Oh Polly dress designs had infringed the unregistered design rights of its competitor, House of CB. This recent decision confirms the risk of additional damages being awarded if infringers flagrantly copy third party designs, whilst also confirming the difficulties brand owners face in bringing passing off actions based solely on copycat designs.

When Is an Office Chair Design Famous? U.S. Supreme Court Won’t Hear Herman Miller’s Trade Dress Appeal Regarding the Eames Chair

Mar 10 2021

The U.S. Supreme Court decided not to take up Herman Miller, Inc.’s appeal from a Ninth Circuit holding that partially overturned a jury verdict and held that Herman Miller’s popular Eames office chair (average retail price US$1,200) is not “famous” enough to qualify for trade dress dilution protection.^[1] The Supreme Court’s denial of Herman Miller’s petition means the Ninth Circuit’s decision will stand.

GLITTERS DID NOT MAKE SUCH A SPARKLE DIFFERENCE…NOT ON THIS OCCASION!

Mar 04 2021

The sparkle effect that characterizes, since the very beginning, the Blonde Salad shoes did not impress the judges of the Court of Milan in a case in which the Tecnica Group S.p.A. (“Tecnica”) appealed the competent authorities in order to defend their famous Moon Boot snow boots – inspired by the footwear used by astronauts in the 1969 moon landing – against the snow boots marketed with the Chiara Ferragni Collection’s trademark.

Australian Movement Trade Marks: Businesses “Moving” with the Times?

Feb 28 2021

In a technological age where most consumers are receiving their information digitally, brands need to find new ways to engage with consumers. With nine out of ten Australians owning a smart phone and spending on average three hours a day on their devices, consumer engagement by way of multimedia is growing, increasing the popularity of movement trade marks.

The first movement trade mark was registered in Australia in 2002. There are currently 99 registered movement trade marks in Australia.

The image of woman objectification in advertising is no longer compliant as well as fashionable

Feb 25 2021

In the context of modern advertising, especially in the countries of the old continent and in the fashion market, the image of women has been severely challenged. This is a tricky topic with multiple socio-cultural, economic and political implications. Advertising is often accused of crossing the limits, with the risk of reducing the female image to a stereotyped object of mere commercial persuasion, also able to affect customers’ actions.

“Lettuce Turnip the Beet” Pun on T-Shirts Not Trademark Use, Ninth Circuit Affirms

Jan 22 2021

The owner of the trademark “LETTUCE TURNIP THE BEET” cannot prevent third parties from printing the mere phrase on t-shirts, tote bags, or other products. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed on January 20, 2021 that consumers are likely to purchase such products because they find the phrase aesthetically pleasing and not because they associate the phrase with any particular source. LTTB LLC v. Redbubble, Inc., 19-16464 (9th Cir. 2021).

Vertical Agreements in the Luxury Sector

Jan 07 2021

Our Brussels and London lawyers have contributed a Survey Article entitled “Vertical agreements in the luxury sector” to the Journal of European Competition Law & Practice, Oxford Academic. This is the first ever JECLAP Survey Article on vertical agreements in the luxury and fashion sector.

Archive:2021