Trademark news and archive

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,...

FeaturedMember

Business

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...

Member

Business

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...

Member

Business

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...

Member

Business

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...

Member

Business

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...

Member

Business

UK government launches consultation to reform IP protection for design sector

The UK government has launched a new comprehensive consultation to explore potential reforms for the region’s design sector, with a particular focus on modernising intellectual property (IP) protection in a post-Brexit landscape. With this, the government said it is seeking expertise from the UK’s design community, from independent creators to...

Fashion

Vetements takes trademark fight to US Supreme Court

French fashion brand Vetements has turned to the US Supreme Court with a request to review a trademark case. The company is challenging a decision by a lower court that rejected its trademark application for the name ‘Vetements’. At the crux of the issue is the question of whether the brand name, which means ‘clothing’ in French, can be...

Member

Business

Kizik brings legal dispute with Skechers to Europe

HandsFree Labs (HFL), the parent company of Kizik, has extended its legal dispute with Skechers USA to Europe, where it has now filed a trademark infringement complaint with the Unified Patent Court in Munich, Germany. In the complaint, issued by Fast IP, LLC – the intellectual property (IP) holding company of HFL – and seen by WWD, a disputed...

FeaturedMember

Business

“Brat Green” and beyond: What fashion designers can learn about colour trade marks

When Charli XCX dropped her album “Brat” last year, she didn’t just spark a music frenzy - she launched a colour moment. The acid-lime shade dubbed “Brat Green” flooded social media, merchandise, beauty and fashion. Designers such as Prada, McQueen and Fendi adopted the colour, making it one of 2024’s defining visuals. Fast forward to Summer...