Posts with tag copyright

Knitters. Not a group of people one would traditionally associate with law-breaking hooligans, but it seems the BBC thinks differently.

You see, although the British TV company is grateful for the army of fans its top-rated sci-fi show Dr Who has spawned since it hit our screens (for the second time) in 2005, it's less happy that some of those fans have chosen to... knit their favorite characters.

The cheek! Imagine people actually using their creative self-expression in ways they choose, in a democratic society! Surely something can be done to stop them?

Marc Jacobs has ripped off an old Swedish man! Marc is currently marketing a scarf that looks identical a little similar to a design created in the 1950's in a county called Harjedalen up in the north of Sweden. A man named Göran Olofsson says his father came up with the design way back in the day when he used to draw sketches and sell them to tourists. The design was so popular that he had it printed on some scarves and began selling them.

It appears one of these scarves made it's way into the U.S., found it's way into Marc Jacobs' greasy little fingers, and the rest is history. The only difference between Marc's scarf and Olofsson's scarf is that above the design Marc removed the lettering that had the name of the town, and replaced it with, "Marc Jacobs since 1984."

Olofsson has written to Marc to try and get some clarification. He's open to selling the copyright if the right offer is made. As for what he thinks of his dad's design, he says, "I suppose my father was before his time."

Yeah that. Or, umm, maybe Marc Jacobs is crazy. The scarf is so hideous I don't know why anyone would buy it as a souvenir, let alone steal the copyright and try to pass it off as fashion! You can check out The Cut for a side by side comparison.

If I had to guess what's going to happen, I'd say Marc will probably have to offer Olofsson a ridiculous amount of money in order to avoid a lawsuit -- all for a picture of some goats in the mountains.

Was it worth Marc, was it really worth it?

Via The Cut.

Everyone knows that Forever 21 is in the business of selling cheap runway knock offs, sometimes teetering on the edge of design piracy. The company's philosophy and background approaches fashion from a cut and dry business standpoint, building one of the most profitable retail chains in the country with little or no major fashion clout to speak of.

In fact, the company is run by an evangelical Christian couple, who immigrated to the US in 1981 from South Korea. They noticed the success of the fashion industry professionals in the area where they worked and decided: hey why can't we do that? Their rags to riches story has become the stuff of legends -- and nasty, bitter rumors.

Up to now, their business model has centered around frugality, shrewdness, and no-name, hack designers -- building an empire on 'copycat' fashion. However, after a rash of run-ins with top designers and piracy legislation being introduced in congress, the successful newcomers might have to reinvent their business.

Let's face it, most of us are down with buying a Target knock off if it means saving a few bucks. Is that wrong? A piece of legislation called the Design Piracy Prohibition Act is being pushed by a few high end fashion peeps who want to stomp out the blossoming industry of legal 'knock-offery.' One of these fashion elites, Diane Von Furstenberg, just happens to be one of the people who has settled with Forever 21 over design infringements -- now she's going after Target.

You see a dress that you absolutely love and must have on the runway during Fashion Week New York. Obviously you'd have to refinance your house if you really wanted to buy it. But, then two weeks later you're walking through Target and you see an almost identical dress. Hallelujah! The fashion gods have saved you once again.

Well, Washington is about to make sure that this scenario will happen no more. Darn politicians, they're always messing up a good thing! The Council of Fashion Designers of America took a bill that will beef up copyright protections on designs to congress yesterday. The bill has been floating around in congress since 2006, got a serious push in 2007, and is just now going to the table.

Narciso Rodriguez testified before congress telling them why they should pass the bill, while Steve Maimen testified on behalf of the apparel companies arguing against the bill. Narciso says his company has lost millions of dollars because of knock offs, while Steve says that it would be impossible to determine just exactly how original an item is.

I can see how this bill would be a good thing for designers who are sick of seeing their designs knocked off. But, there's also a fine line between inspiration and flat out copying. Where do you draw that line? Who can determine whether a design is a knock off or just a similarly inspired piece?

There are stronger copyright laws to protect designers in Europe, but the thing is, on the other side of the pond, people rarely register their designs. This is because they can't be bothered to sue. Here in the US we tend to utilize the judicial system much more (a.k.a. we sue the pants off of anyone who crosses our path). So if this bill passes it would affect the fashion industry here, much more than it affected the industry in Europe.

While I do see both sides of the story, are knock offs really taking that much money away from the designers? Personally, I would never be able to afford designer clothes. If I'm buying a garment in Target that's a look-alike, it's not because I prefer the superior quality of Target clothing over Narciso's line, it's because I simply don't have the money to buy the designer item. Whether a knock off exists or not, isn't going to change my buying habits. What do you think about this hot issue in fashion right now?

Via WWD.

Last week Lauren reported that Gwen Stefani was suing Forever 21 for knocking off her designs. Today Vogue UK brings news of a similar suit, although not one as young and trendy. Levi has filed a lawsuit Polo Ralph Lauren claiming that Lauren is copying their pocket stitching. The Vogue article says that Lauren has imitated their trademark "arcuate" pocket stitching. Arcuate? I'll admit I didn't know the word so I looked it up. It basically means curved or arched. The jeans design is the oldest known apparel trademark in the US, protected since 1873 so Ralph and his team have some explaining to do. It would be very hard to claim ignorance of one of the most recognizable design styles.

Women's Wear Daily today reports that Congress is currently considering so-called designer knock-off legislation. This bill, introduced by Bob Goodlatte (R., Va.) and Bill Delahunt (D., Mass.), would allow companies and designers to register designs for copyright protection lasting three yeas. The measure would also create penalties for designers or companies who then choose to copy these registered designs. Fines for offenders would range from $250,000, or $5 for each copied item, whichever number turned out to be higher.

Now before I continue, there are a few things I'd like to put on the table. This is a blog about fashion. It goes without saying that we're all basically duty-bound to suspend any major questions over whether or not fashion is worthwhile pursuit.

But today I'm afraid I'm going to have to let my true feelings show:

ARE YOU KIDDING ME, PEOPLE?

There's a war going on, an immigration impasse, a looming energy crisis, 46.6 million Americans that don't have health insurance and 37 million who live in poverty. New home sales dropped more last month than they have in any other month over the last 20 years; our trade deficit is sky-rocketing; our national debt is out of control; global warming is already happening; New Orleans is still a disaster and, oh yeah, no one likes us anymore.

And somehow the most important thing on the congressional docket is a bi-partisan bill that panders to a bunch of wealthy, whiny, myopic designers who now want laws to keep middle and lower class consumers out of their clothes?

Uh, yeah, that makes total sense.

Copyright law has been on the tip of a number of designer's tongues these last few years with knock-off versions of everything from handbags to dresses readily available for purchase at fraction of their original cost. Diane Von Furstenberg, one of the most outspoken critiques of knock-off culture, has decided to put her money where her mouth is by taking Forever21 to court.

In question are a couple of F21 dresses that closely resemble pieces from Von Furstenberg's 2006 spring collection. DVF's position is explained in legal papers acquired by WWD, which state: Without authorization or license from DVF, Forever 21 has produced and is marketing, advertising, distributing, offering for sale and selling dresses nearly identical to DVF's Cerisier and Aubrey dresses that bear print designs identical to the DVF copyrights. Von Furstenberg is asking Forever21 to recall the dresses as well as provide financial compensation to her company for the violation of copyright laws.

I have to say I don't exactly feel bad for Von Furstenberg. I suppose her case has merit, but legal action in general makes her seem like a greedy megalomaniac. Seriously, does a company that sells $400 it-dresses to women all over the world really need compensation from a company that sells low-quality versions to poor girls like me? Isn't imitation the best form of flattery?

[via Vogue.co.uk]

It's official!

Diane von Furstenberg is the new president. Well, at least she's the new president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. After months of speculation coming from everyone (Anna Wintour, editor of Vogue magazine to the guy who cuts my hair), Ms. von Furstenberg beat out her competition, Joseph Abboud, to become the American fashion industry's most important figurehead.

Many of you know von Furstenberg through her wrap-dress fame (you should read Sarah's post on the incredible DVF Bluefly deal), as well as her notable relationship with pop artist Andy Warhol. In addition to hosting the Annual CFDA Fashion Awards, Diane's leadership of the trade association will require her to speaks out on a variety of industry-related issues. First on this year's agenda? Can designs be protected by copyright law?

We wish you the best of luck, Diane. But please, just don't take away our fake Marc Jacobs bags...