THE IMITATION GAME: Fashion and Intellectual Property

Arwant Kang

Gurkamal Dhaliwal

Jordan Paul

Irindeep Sidhu

Taahaa Patel

 

PART I-INTRO

• INTRODUCING THE INDUSTRY- fashion industry and the lack of IP protection
  • IP protection
  • Introducing IP concepts
• Introducing in house counsel/fashion lawyers

 

PART II- JURISPRUDENCE

• Supreme v supreme italia
• Christian Louboutin S.A. v. Yves Saint Laurent America Inc​
• Christian loubutin vs Amazon
• CAR-FRESHNER Corporation and Julius Sämann Ltd., v. Balenciaga America, Inc., 1:18-cv-09629 (SDNY)​
• Ariana Grande-Butera v. Forever 21, Inc., and Riley Rose LLC, 2:19-cv-07600 (C.D.Cal.)​
• Kardashian and old navy
• David Liebensohn v. Kimsaprincess, Inc.; and Kim Kardashian West, 5:19-cv-00137 (W.D. Okla.)​
• Yoga Smoga LLC et al v. Guess? IP Holder L.P., 1:19-cv-07974 SDNY). ​
• Pinkette Clothing, Inc. v. ALO, LLC, 2:19-cv-06897 (C.D. Cal.).​
• New Balance Athletics Incorporated v. Authentic Brands Group et al, 1:19-cv-11792 (D. Mass).​
• Shandong Honghui Food Machinery Co., Ltd dba Seven Style, a China Limited Company, v. Wouldn’t It Be Nice LLC, 2:19-cv-07347 (C.D.Cal).​
• Allbirds, Inc. v. Giesswein Walkwaren AG et al, 3:19-cv-05638 (N.D. Cal.).​
• Hypebeast Hong Kong Limited v. Anand, 1:19-cv-08338 (S.D.N.Y.) ​
• Patagonia, Inc. v. Kimberly McHugh, 2:19-cv-07666 (C.D.Cal.).​
• Steve Madden, Ltd., v. Yves Saint Laurent, 1:18-cv-07592 (SDNY).
• Levi Strauss & Co., v. Yves Saint Laurent America, 3:18-cv-06977 (N.D.Cal.).
• Puma SE v. Forever 21, Inc., 2:17-cv-02523 (C.D. Cal). 
• Converse v. ITC and Sketchers, New Balance, et al. (Fed. Cir. 2018).
• ADIDAS
  • yeezy copyright registration
  • Adidas and J Crew
  • Japanese trademark board and adidas
  • Adidas and skechers

 

PART III: CHALLENGES

• Protecting branding that barely exists
• Street Style photography copyright
• Challenges of in house fashion lawyers

 

PART IV : RESPONSIBILITIES OF IN HOUSE

• Job postings

 

PART V: CASE STUDIES

• CASE STUDIES
  • Louise firestone
  • Barbara Kolsun
  • Katie Jamieson
• INTERVIEWS
  • Kieran Moore- Lululemon
  • Jasmine Ostad- Herschel Supply Co.

 

PART VI: CONCLUSION

• In house vs Law firms- companies drawing top talent
• Discussion Questions
  • Ethical concerns- what would you do as in-house counsel when a business’ outsourcing is good for business, but may have ethical labour concerns?

 

• • Do you think North America should follow France and Italy in creating designer specific protection? How would this affect in-house lawyers?

 

• • Companies are being DECENTRALIZED since it promotes local engagement, do you think iin-house counsel should be pushing for more centralization of companies under a corporate policy, or is the current system of putting out fires good enough?