fashion

'It's wrong.' Why everyone is talking about Katy Perry and Australian fashion designer Katie Perry.

Katy Perry, international popstar, is not going down without (another) fight.

The opponent? Katie Perry, Australian fashion designer.

(Bear with me, this might get confusing.)

In April, local designer Katie Jane Taylor (nee Perry), celebrated the end of a 14-year battle with the world-famous popstar, over their very similar names. But only two months later, Perry is appealing her namesake's win.

The Federal Court found a firm owned by Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, better known as Katy Perry, was liable for infringing the trademark of local designer Katie Jane Taylor (nee Perry).

Image: Getty.

It all began in 2009, when Taylor applied for a trademark of 'Katie Perry' for clothing. She has sold clothing under this label since 2007. 

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Perry's lawyers initially challenged the claim, prompting Taylor to share a YouTube video asking Perry to allow them both to 'live their dreams'. Perry's team later withdrew their opposition and Taylor's trademark was granted.

Years later, Perry used her name to sell merch while on tours to Australia in 2014 and 2018.

In 2019, Taylor initiated legal proceedings against Perry for trademark infringement, claiming 'Katy Perry' is 'substantially identical or deceptively similar' to 'Katie Perry'.

In court, emails between Perry and her manager Steven Jensen in which Perry disparaged Taylor were shown.

In the 2009 emails, Perry wrote "dumb b*tch" and "this b*tch won't stop", referring to Taylor's trademark application.

Jensen said it was an emotional response, not directed at Taylor personally.

"Katy Perry is an artist. Artists are emotional people. Emotions are what drive their talent," he said.

Two months ago, a judge ruled mostly in Taylor's favour, but rejected further claims that her trademark was infringed through clothing sold at Target and Myer and websites such as Amazon and eBay.

Justice Brigette Markovic described the case as a "tale of two women, two teenage dreams and one name" in her ruling.

Perry is now appealing the findings.

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In an interview with A Current Affair, Taylor described it as a "David and Goliath case".

"I've done exactly what the government told me to; register your business name, get an ABN, get a trademark, I've done all those things," Taylor said.

"That's why this case has felt so wrong, because I've done everything I was supposed to do and then an overseas conglomerate can come to Australia and say, 'Well I'm bigger, I've got more money, and I'm going to crush you', [it] is wrong."

Taylor said she has no choice but to keep fighting the case, which will likely head back to court.

"I'm not going to give up because ultimately I believe in truth and justice and I believe why I am doing this," she said.

- with AAP.

Feature image: Channel Nine/Getty.

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