Pricing Strategies and Antitrust Considerations
The Briefing by the IP Law Blog - The Sneakerhead Breakup of the Century: Yeezy and Adidas
Dupes of original branded items present significant intellectual property (IP) challenges in the fashion industry. Not all fashion products are entitled to IP protection and perceived similarities between products do not...more
“Aber ist es Kunst?” - That question—“But is it art?”—was before the German Bundesgerichtshof (“BGH”), or Federal Court of Justice, in a recent proceeding involving the well-known Birkenstock sandal design. ...more
If you’re “wirkin” to save up the money for a BIRKIN bag, you may be waiting a long time. And it may be just as hard to get an imitation version, based on the recent shutdown of a couple of foreign manufacturers’ attempts at...more
A longstanding Australian brand, UGG Since 1974, is fighting for the right to use its UGG trademark for footwear in the United States. Deckers Outdoor Corporation, a US-based shoe company, filed a lawsuit against the...more
The year is 1987. My stint as General Counsel of Sergio Valente has come to an end after the break-up of its partners. I returned to private practice. I’ve worked for the last thirty-three years at Davidoff Hutcher & Citron...more
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit recently heard oral argument in an appeal from a jury verdict that found in favor of Plaintiffs Hermès International and Hermès of Paris, Inc. ("Hermès") against Mason...more
While interest in buying and selling fashion brands and their associated business lines is constant, structuring and negotiating these opportunities is uniquely challenging. Here, we present key initial considerations for...more
As challenging global market conditions linger, fashion brands and retailers in need of liquidity are exploring ways to extract cash from their brand portfolios without divesting entirely. In this article, we consider a...more
On August 6, 2024, the PTAB issued its first written decision applying a new test for obviousness of design patents. In Next Step Group, Inc. v. Deckers Outdoor Corp., IPR2024-00525, Paper 16 (P.T.A.B. Aug. 6, 2024)...more
According to Forbes Magazine, a majority of younger generations (59 percent of Generation Z and 57 percent of Millennials) are buying upcycled products. This growing trend has transformed the fashion industry, blending...more
Nike recently filed suit in Federal Court in the Southern District of New York claiming trademark infringement and unfair competition by its former licensee, S2, Inc., owned by a popular shoe customizer named Dominic...more
The "Birkin" name is well known around the world – it is synonymous with exclusivity and high-end luxury. From storylines in "Sex and the City" and "Gilmore Girls" to mentions in lyrics from the likes of Jay-Z and Beyoncé,...more
We continue to monitor lawsuits that lie at the intersection of street art, fashion and advertising. Previous issues of Kattison Avenue and Katten Kattwalk have covered the risks that generally come with using street art on...more
Your interest in brands and fashion dates back well before law school and your time as a Katten associate. Tell us about what led you to Authentic Brands Group and how your role has changed since we last interviewed you in...more
In the world of fashion, few things are as iconic as Christian Louboutin's signature red-soled shoes. Since Louboutin painted the sole of a shoe with his assistant's red nail varnish in 1993, the red-bottomed sole has become...more
Tell us about your career path from Aeropostale, Inc. to SPARC Group LLC. - When I joined Aeropostale, Inc. (Aeropostale) in February 2007, I would not have imagined that my career would become what it is today. I was the...more
As one of the pioneers of "fashion law" as a practice, Karen Artz Ash has a unique perspective on the multitude of legal issues involved in the fashion industry. Successful brands rely on counsel adept at navigating a myriad...more
Welcome to the summer issue of Katten KattWalk! We have an issue chock full of developments and pressing issues for fashion and brands. Associate Cynthia Martens starts with a look at “superfakes” and how the rise in...more
Establishing a successful clothing company presents numerous unique challenges and legal intricacies. To achieve lasting success, it is crucial to find the right balance between business, legal, and creative considerations....more
From New York to London, Paris and Milan, a colour that tends to make a regular resurgence on spring and summer runways is a classic fresh green. Who could forget the amazing Christian Siriano voluminous bubble gown in lime...more
The battle between Thom Browne and Adidas over a striped design dates back to 2007. For over 20 years, Thom Browne has been a force in luxury fashion, bringing a unique and distinctive design aesthetic that combines classic...more
In early 2023, a federal jury found an opportunistic meta-artist infringed on a luxury fashion house’s iconic handbag trademark. Digital artist Mason Rothschild created 100 unique “MetaBirkin” non-fungible tokens (“NFTs”)...more
Thom Browne, a prominent US designer, introduced a four parallel stripes motif into his clothing designs several years ago. Not taking kindly to Browne’s move, in 2021, Adidas, the major sportswear brand, filed a lawsuit...more
Regardless of whether your business has any current plans to develop digital goods, including “non-fungible tokens” (NFTs), a recent verdict in a first-of-its-kind case involving trademark rights and digital assets should...more
In a closely watched trademark infringement case involving non-fungible tokens ("NFTs"), a jury found that the sale of digital images of Hermès's Birkin bags as NFTs infringed and diluted Hermès's trademarks....more