THE FASHION LAWYER
It’s 2013, The Year of Fun
116 days ago - The Fashion LawyerYes, I know, a bit late, but late than never! It is 2013 and I am in a jam. Do you feel like that as well? What’s all this cheer about? This is the year I turn the big 3-0 (Yes, I hyphenate it, so it doesn’t look as big as the word sounds), and … Read More
Knockoffs Can Spark Innovation?
277 days ago - The Fashion LawyerA new book by Kal Raustiala and Christopher Sprigman, captivated us recently. The book challenges the accepted notion that imitation is wrong. Regarding fashion, the duo found that copying actually allows the fashion industry to set trends and motivate consumers to buy more clothes. What is Innovation? Innovation is the creation of better … Read More
The US Warns Laos: Get Your IP Act Together!
283 days ago - The Fashion LawyerThe US is demanding that Laos speed up the process to make their intellectual property law clearer before the country becomes a member of the WTO. Laos hopes to become a WTO member by the end of this year (2012). Even though the US voted for Laos to become a member of the WTO, it … Read More
Intellectual Property Rights in Asia: Updates from Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore
285 days ago - Featured, The Fashion LawyerJapan The Intellectual Property High Court in Tokyo recently heard the case of Perfetti Van Melle S. p.A. v Rakuten Co. Ltd. The court addressed the issue of whether Rakuten, a website organised like an “internet mall”, having numerous independent stores and dealers, could be liable for trademark infringement committed by those stores. The court … Read More
Why You Need a Social Media Policy
285 days ago - Fashion Incubator, Featured, The Fashion LawyerLet’s face it – social media is popular and whether you know it or like it, your employees are on it. Some businesses simply prohibit their employees from going on social network sites while at work. This is not realistic, especially with the increase of smart phones in Asia. I don’t think prohibition is the … Read More
Chinese Fashion Brand Steals Singapore’s Merlion
297 days ago - The Fashion LawyerSingapore’s Merlion is well known, recognisable and loved by all. This however did not stop Chinese brand Funnchy from adopting the Merlion as its logo. The use of the Merlion logo is restricted under the Singapore Tourism Board Act. According to the literature on Funnchy, the brand adopted Singapore’s national standard “Merlion”. This company information … Read More
Zara’s Prices Unaffected by Spanish VAT Hike
311 days ago - The Fashion LawyerThe Spanish government recently announced VAT increase from 18% to 21% and Inditex kindly decided to absorb the increase and will not increase the prices of its products. The Inditex Group is one of the largest fashion retailers in the world, owning Zara, Pull & Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Stradivarius, Oysho, Zara Home, Uterque and many … Read More
Move over America: Brits Have £30 Billion Worth of Unused Clothing
311 days ago - The Fashion LawyerI have written about fast fashion, excessive shopping (ie shopaholics) and the damages our habits cause to the environment. Often the US becomes the beating stick when studies are done on consumer behaviours, because Americans are considered excessive shoppers (I didn’t make this up!). Brits on the other hand are known to be frugal, savvy … Read More