B.A.F.F.L.E.D. Fashion Law
The Latest in Fashion Law: News & Updates--
A lot has been going on in fashion law lately, so we want to make sure you're up to speed. Here's the latest:
Ralph Lauren forced to destroy knockoffs
In October, Converse sued a bunch of designers who infringed on their famous Chuck Taylor shoe. Now, as part of their settlement, RL has decided to destroy their 36 infringing styles, along with all molds and materials used to make them. Trademark protection is everything. Even big brands get caught up in it.
Seahawks are protecting their fans
Just in time for the Super Bowl, the Seattle Seahawks are working to trademark the number "12" and "boom". After successfully registering "Legion of Boom", efforts to secure "12th man"and just the number "12" in jersey font have proven a bit more difficult because of marks already in use. The Seahawks aren't giving up, though. They're working to find as much specificity as possible to protect what's pushed them to their 2nd Super Bowl in 2 years. Good luck!
Federal Agents Seize Super Bowl Fakes
While Seattle is trying to protect their brand, the NFL is working to do the same for theirs. Just this past weekend, near Phoenix, about $1million in knockoff NFL merchandise was seized by the feds. Merchandise included watches, other jewelry, and even flasks. Yikes.
"Faking It" exhibit continues at FIT
New York's Fashion Institute of Technology recently launched an exhibit in their museum examining the history of copying, both authorized and unauthorized, as the $600billion counterfeit industry continues to threaten designers. Faking It: Originals, Copies and Counterfeits displays genuine and copied items from designers like Louis Vuitton and Coco Chanel--2 designers who have actually stood on opposite sides of the issue. Following Charles Fredrick Worth's debut of a label in his designs in 1903, brands like Louis Vuitton have worked tirelessly to protect themselves against fakes. Meanwhile Madam Chanel once said "One should not bother to protect that which dies the minute it is born". Is she right?
Patrons of the exhibit get to check out bags, suits, dresses and more, all while comparing the real to the fake. A little fashion law history is laid out as well. The exhibit lasts until April 25th.
Louis Vuitton and Google partner to fight fakes
Continuing their quest to forever protect their well-known brand, LVMH is now working with Google to keep the conglomerate safe on the internet. After filing many lawsuits against Google for harboring ads and sales of infringing merchandise, the 2 major brands have signed a cooperation agreement, promising to end their legal dispute. The deal provides for each side to combine their resources to keep counterfeit LV items from being marketed and sold via the internet giant.
Is this the start of stronger crackdowns? Let's keep watching.
A lot has been going on in fashion law lately, so we want to make sure you're up to speed. Here's the latest:
Ralph Lauren forced to destroy knockoffs
In October, Converse sued a bunch of designers who infringed on their famous Chuck Taylor shoe. Now, as part of their settlement, RL has decided to destroy their 36 infringing styles, along with all molds and materials used to make them. Trademark protection is everything. Even big brands get caught up in it.
Seahawks are protecting their fans
Just in time for the Super Bowl, the Seattle Seahawks are working to trademark the number "12" and "boom". After successfully registering "Legion of Boom", efforts to secure "12th man"and just the number "12" in jersey font have proven a bit more difficult because of marks already in use. The Seahawks aren't giving up, though. They're working to find as much specificity as possible to protect what's pushed them to their 2nd Super Bowl in 2 years. Good luck!
Federal Agents Seize Super Bowl Fakes
While Seattle is trying to protect their brand, the NFL is working to do the same for theirs. Just this past weekend, near Phoenix, about $1million in knockoff NFL merchandise was seized by the feds. Merchandise included watches, other jewelry, and even flasks. Yikes.
"Faking It" exhibit continues at FIT
New York's Fashion Institute of Technology recently launched an exhibit in their museum examining the history of copying, both authorized and unauthorized, as the $600billion counterfeit industry continues to threaten designers. Faking It: Originals, Copies and Counterfeits displays genuine and copied items from designers like Louis Vuitton and Coco Chanel--2 designers who have actually stood on opposite sides of the issue. Following Charles Fredrick Worth's debut of a label in his designs in 1903, brands like Louis Vuitton have worked tirelessly to protect themselves against fakes. Meanwhile Madam Chanel once said "One should not bother to protect that which dies the minute it is born". Is she right?
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| Afternoon Dress by Charles Fredrick Worth (1903) |
Patrons of the exhibit get to check out bags, suits, dresses and more, all while comparing the real to the fake. A little fashion law history is laid out as well. The exhibit lasts until April 25th.
Louis Vuitton and Google partner to fight fakes
Continuing their quest to forever protect their well-known brand, LVMH is now working with Google to keep the conglomerate safe on the internet. After filing many lawsuits against Google for harboring ads and sales of infringing merchandise, the 2 major brands have signed a cooperation agreement, promising to end their legal dispute. The deal provides for each side to combine their resources to keep counterfeit LV items from being marketed and sold via the internet giant.
Is this the start of stronger crackdowns? Let's keep watching.