Trademark news and archive

Six arrested in the UK over suspected sale of counterfeit goods on TikTok

London police have arrested six people suspected of distributing falsely trademarked goods over TikTok Shop amid a broader crackdown on counterfeiting in the UK. The operation was carried out by the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at the City of London Police, which worked closely with industry partners to execute warrants in...

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Adidas US appeal attempt against Thom Browne blocked

A long-running trademark dispute between Adidas and Thom Browne has moved closer to a conclusion, after a US appeals court upheld an earlier ruling in favour of the luxury label. In a decision issued on April 29, the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit confirmed that the case would not be reopened, backing a 2023 jury verdict which found...

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How a brand like Chanel uses IP to establish and influence an audience

Chanel is a maison synonymous with luxury and recognised globally, defined by timeless black and white chic and its 'ultimate luxury' identity. Founded in Paris in 1910 by fashion pioneer Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel, today it remains a powerhouse brand, now headquartered in London. Many of the elements introduced under Coco have endured, firmly...

Fashion

Australian Katie Perry wins trademark spat against singer Katy Perry

Australian designer Katie Perry has won the right to sell clothes under her name, claiming victory Wednesday in a years-long trademark spat with US pop megastar Katy Perry. Designer Katie Perry accused her far more famous namesake of trademark infringement, arguing she had claimed the "Katie Perry" brand before the singer became a global...

Culture

Exhibition: “The art of trademark in Indo-British textile trade” sheds light on the forgotten art of textile labels

The first thing you notice is the heat; it is all around, almost palpable. Then there are the sounds, deafening, each vendor trying to shout louder than the next. “Madam, here, here, Kashmiri silk, you won’t find anywhere.” “Come to my stall, please, I will show you the widest range.” Then there are the smells of course, some pleasant like the...

Fashion

From Bottega Veneta's trademarked Intrecciato to the US patent office's rejection of Naghedi's weave

Naghedi, the US-based bag brand founded by Sara Naghedi in 2016, and the Kering-owned Italian label Bottega Veneta, renowned for its Intrecciato motif, represent two landmark cases in intellectual property. In 2025, Bottega Veneta celebrated the 50th anniversary of Intrecciato, the craftsmanship that defines the brand founded in Vicenza in 1966....

Fashion

Patagonia sues drag queen and activist Pattie Gonia for trademark infringement

A legal dispute is underway between the sportswear and accessories brand Patagonia and the American drag queen Pattie Gonia. On January 21, Patagonia filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Pattie Gonia, citing a need to respect intellectual property. Patagonia stated in its complaint at the federal court of California that the artist,...

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Designing on trend: What Deity Shoes tells fashion law in 2026

Fashion never moves in a straight line. It loops. Trends resurface, silhouettes return and “new” designs often feel suspiciously familiar. Shoes, bags and garments evolve through seasons, references and visual languages. In an industry built on remixing, the line between inspiration and infringement is rarely obvious. So, when designs start to...

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Supreme Court denies to hear Vetements trademark dispute over name

Vetements will not be bringing the trademark dispute over its name to the US Supreme Court. Justices have declined to hear the luxury label’s petition to reconsider a low court’s decision to block trademark applications on the grounds of using “foreign equivalents”. This is just the latest setback in Vetements’ now long-running attempt to...

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US Supreme Court urged to reject Vetements trademark appeal

A representative for the US government has urged the Supreme Court to decline Vetements’ attempt to register its name as a trademark in the region. In a newly filed petition, solicitor general John Sauer has backed an initial decision by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in 2021 to deny the registration due to the generic nature of the...

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Quince scores partial win against Deckers in Ugg dispute

A federal judge has granted luxury label Quince a partial victory in its ongoing legal battle with Deckers Outdoor Corporation, the parent company of Ugg boots. The US District Court for the Northern District of California ruled that two of Deckers’ claimed Ugg trade dresses, the Classic Ultra Mini and the Tasman, are generic and therefore not...

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New petition in the UK seeks protection for models against unauthorised use of AI

A new petition has been launched in a bid to protect models from the unauthorised use of artificial intelligence (AI). The fast-growing technology, which remains largely unregulated, has raised concerns over its potential to exploit a model by creating their likeness without their permission. Established by the British Fashion Model Agents...