Katy Perry (Australia) says in her latest blog post… “As you may have read, I am taking legal action against the singer, Katy Perry, for infringing my Katie Perry trade mark in Australia – which I’ve held since 29 September, 2008.”
DAVID AND GOLIATH CASE”
I established my fashion label in late 2006 using my birth name, to meet the growing need for women’s wear that mixes comfort with luxurious style. I had no knowledge of the singer at the time, and just worked hard to establish my brand.
Back in 2009, Katy Perry’s representatives tried to bully me to give up my trade mark by attempting to initiate opposition proceedings and threatening to sue me. The singer eventually gave up trying to get a hold of my Australian trade mark rights and instead chose to simply disregard it. Katy Perry clothing and other infringing articles have been sold in Target, Myer and online across a variety of sites, to name a few.
Up until now, as a mother of two young children, I did not have the financial resources to take on the singer by commencing expensive legal proceedings. It is only through the support of LCM (Litigation Capital Management Limited), a global litigation funder, that I have been able to take action.
Even then, I am just a small business, and Katy Perry has huge resources behind her. This is a real David and Goliath fight. But I am not just fighting for myself.
I am doing this on behalf of all small businesses in this country who can find themselves up against overseas entities who have much more financial power than we do
We all know the famous Perry ( or think we do) but what of this Katy Perry … On her website she says.
STYLE EXPERT AND JERSEY DESIGNER
FAVOURITE QUOTE
“Love like you have never been hurt, dance like no-one’s watching and live like it’s your last day on earth.
Background? Katie has worked as a stylist, manager and buyer for labels and stores such as Brown’s, South Molton St in London, as well as Jag, Oroton and David Jones in Sydney. After gaining valuable insight into the business and commercial side of the fashion world she made the decision to follow her dream of creating her own fashion label.
Favourite piece & why? How could I choose just one piece. I really do love my entire collection so instead I’ll talk about the pieces I have been wearing the most recently the dress I wear the most is the New York. It is the most flattering dress I have ever worn with the rouching able to hide multiple areas. The new Spring Bali Vest is fast becoming a staple in my wardrobe as I throw it over anything I am wearing whether it’s a white Amalfi tee or a Byron singlet.
Best part of what you do? Seeing a customer come out of the dressing room looking and feeling amazing… I get such a thrill when a customer comments on how much they love a piece in the collection.
News.com.au report….Singer Katy Perry sued by Australian fashion designer Katie Perry
In a statement released on Thursday, fashion designer Katie Perry said she was launching litigation proceedings against the singer for alleged trademark infringement.
The Sydney woman launched legal action under her married name — Katie Taylor — in the Federal court in an attempt to stop the Teenage Dream singer from selling clothing branded with her name down under.
“This is a real David and Goliath fight,” Ms Taylor said.
“The singer has ignored my trade mark and continued to sell infringing goods unlawfully in Australia.
“I am fighting not just for myself, but for all small businesses in this country who can be bullied by these overseas entities who have much more financial power than we do.”
Designer Katie Perry at her fashion studio in Paddington. Picture: Rohan KellySource:News Corp Australia
Ms Taylor claims Perry and her lawyers “tried to bully” her into giving up the trademark in 2009 — but they were unsuccessful and eventually dropped their claim.
The fashion designer then claimed lawyers for Perry “made threats” against her including threatening to sue her, something that would have put her out of business.
“The singer has since ignored the designer’s Australian trademark rights, placing herself above the law in Australia,” she said.
Singer Katy Perry came out with a fashion line called Katy Perry Collections and has since sold clothing and shoes across Australia, including at Myer and Target.
Ms Taylor established her fashion line in 2006 from Paddington and since September 29, 2008, she has owned the trademark Katie Perry in Australia.
“Up until now, the designer, a mother of two young children, did not have the financial resources to take on the pop star by commencing expensive legal proceedings,” Ms Taylor’s team said.
“It is only through the support of LCM (Litigation Capital Management Limited), a global litigation funder, that she is now able to take this action.”
