On the 15th of August, the Los Angeles Times published an editorial entitled Fashion copyrights cut creativity saying in part:
Trying to protect fashion designs from knockoffs would only harm the industry. There are at least three fundamental flaws with the proposal. First, it would enable designers to claim copyrights over styles and features they didn’t invent. There are only so many ways to design a T-shirt or a strapless dress, and chances are good that they’ve all been done already. Second, lawsuits would more likely target U.S. apparel makers than manufacturers in distant or undeveloped low-wage countries. Meanwhile, judges would become the arbiters of fashion innovations, deciding whether garments were sufficiently unique or excessively similar.
I wrote a letter to the editor in support of the editorial but it wasn’t published. I guess you have to be local. If you are, consider sending one. Include your address and phone number.
NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday interviewed Steven Lindner, a faculty member at Parsons (audio). He agrees the legislation is unnecessary, unenforceable and potentially destructive.
You can keep watch on the status of Bill 2033 at Open Congress.
My previous analysis of the effect of this proposed legislation and a poll is here.
I believe Chuck Schumer is introducing/has introduced a Senate bill as well. S1957.
BTW, guess what popped up when I searched for the bill on Google? A campaign contribution report for Chuck Schumer. Looks like Ralph Lauren donated to Schumer’s campaign. Among others…Tommy Hilfiger, Liz Claiborne, Joseph Abboud, Kenneth Cole, and Calvin Klein. Nothing like sticking up for your donors at the expense of the populace.
Because Pool this year is a green event how about not making line sheets or only taking a few laminated sheets for buyers to look at while visiting your booth? You can tell your visitors that in the interest of the environment you can email them a line plan. This also gives you the oportunity to get their email addresses so you can follow up with them. Full color electronic line plans are so much more impressive than b & w anyhow. Even if your line isn’t green your practices can be.
Well, just think. If it did go through, then Allen B. Schwartz (ABS) wouldn’t have a job any more…..
My opinion is to go after the companies that copy or do the “inspired by” crap. Go after the fake labels….they say Dior but it’s made in Hong Kong. You know what I mean! I work hard as a designer and it’s terrible when I see shows like ET or Access Hollywood promote companies, such as ABS, for cheaply copying designer outfits that are seen on the red carpet or on runways. Don’t get me started on celebs that claim to be designers…..that is another chapter.