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Bill Targets Designer Knockoffs

Copycat clothes would be blocked for 3 years

By Heather McPherson,  Newser User

Posted Aug 10, 2007 8:34 AM CDT

(Newser) – Capitol HIll is considering a bill that would place fashion designs in the same league as a work of art that can be copyrighted, protecting designers from cheap knockoffs for three years. Currently, designers can copyright logos and names, but manufacturers can legally replicate their creations stitch for stitch—and they do.

Under the bill, designers who copyrighted their work could sue for damages and press to have the fake goods destroyed. Looks "inspired by" name-brand fashions would still be legal. Fashion houses lose billions when quicky knockoffs hit the racks before the real thing. Case in point: millions of ersatz versions of Carolyn Bisette's wedding dress were sold before the designer, Narcisso Rodriguez, could get the original to the market. He sold 45.

A model presents outfit from Taiwanese fashion designer Shiatzy Chen's autumn and winter collection, Wednesday, July 25, 2007, in Taipei, Taiwan. Chen's collection is inspired by styles and materials from the 17th - 21th century, featuring woolens and ruffles, organza and cotton velvet, crystal and laces among colors and embroideries....
A model presents outfit from Taiwanese fashion designer Shiatzy Chen's autumn and winter collection, Wednesday, July 25, 2007, in Taipei, Taiwan. Chen's collection is inspired by styles and materials...   (Associated Press)
A model presents outfit from Taiwanese fashion designer Shiatzy Chen's autumn and winter collection, Wednesday, July 25, 2007, in Taipei, Taiwan. Chen's collection is inspired by styles and materials from the 17th - 21th century, featuring woolens and ruffles, organza and cotton velvet, crystal and laces among colors and embroideries....
A model presents outfit from Taiwanese fashion designer Shiatzy Chen's autumn and winter collection, Wednesday, July 25, 2007, in Taipei, Taiwan. Chen's collection is inspired by styles and materials...   (Associated Press)
A model presents outfit from Taiwanese fashion designer Shiatzy Chen's autumn and winter collection, Wednesday, July 25, 2007, in Taipei, Taiwan. Chen's collection is inspired by styles and materials from the 17th - 21th century, featuring woolens and ruffles, organza and cotton velvet, crystal and laces among colors and embroideries....
A model presents outfit from Taiwanese fashion designer Shiatzy Chen's autumn and winter collection, Wednesday, July 25, 2007, in Taipei, Taiwan. Chen's collection is inspired by styles and materials...   (Associated Press)
A model presents a creation by designer Anja Gockel on the catwalk of the IGEDO fashion fair in Duesseldorf, Germany, Sunday, July 22, 2007. The Igedo fashion fairs, during which 1,770 exhibitors from 51 countries will present their latest collections to the world's bulk buyers in Duesseldorf lasts until...
A model presents a creation by designer Anja Gockel on the catwalk of the IGEDO fashion fair in Duesseldorf, Germany, Sunday, July 22, 2007. The Igedo fashion fairs, during which 1,770 exhibitors from...   (Associated Press)
A model presents a creation by designer Alexandros Talianis on the catwalk of the IGEDO fashion fair in Duesseldorf, Germany, Sunday, July 22, 2007. The Igedo fashion fairs, during which 1,770 exhibitors from 51 countries will present their latest collections to the world's bulk buyers in Duesseldorf lasts until...
A model presents a creation by designer Alexandros Talianis on the catwalk of the IGEDO fashion fair in Duesseldorf, Germany, Sunday, July 22, 2007. The Igedo fashion fairs, during which 1,770 exhibitors...   (Associated Press)
A model auditions for the upcoming Lakme Fashion week, in Mumbai, India, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007. Models from Brazil, Croatia, Britain, Argentina, Australia, Iceland, France and Ukraine participated in the audition for the Fashion Week that is scheduled for Oct. 13 to Oct. 17. (AP Photo/Rajesh Nirgude)
A model auditions for the upcoming Lakme Fashion week, in Mumbai, India, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007. Models from Brazil, Croatia, Britain, Argentina, Australia, Iceland, France and Ukraine participated in...   (Associated Press)
A model shows Ruetzou fashion on the catwalk at the Ruetzou fashion show on the first day of the Copenhagen Fashion Week at Copenhagen City Hall, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007. (AP Photo/Polfoto, Carsten Snejbjerg)
A model shows Ruetzou fashion on the catwalk at the Ruetzou fashion show on the first day of the Copenhagen Fashion Week at Copenhagen City Hall, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007. (AP Photo/Polfoto, Carsten Snejbjerg)   (Associated Press)
A model shows Ruetzou fashion on the catwalk at the Ruetzou fashion show on the first day of the Copenhagen Fashion Week at Copenhagen City Hall, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007. (AP Photo/Polfoto, Carsten Snejbjerg)
A model shows Ruetzou fashion on the catwalk at the Ruetzou fashion show on the first day of the Copenhagen Fashion Week at Copenhagen City Hall, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007. (AP Photo/Polfoto, Carsten Snejbjerg)   (Associated Press)
A model walks the runway during the 2nd Contours International Lingerie Awards (CILA) gala, Monday, Aug. 6, 2007 in New York. For the last two years Contours Magazine has held this event to raise awareness of the influence the Intimate Apparel industry as a whole has on fashion and to...
A model walks the runway during the 2nd Contours International Lingerie Awards (CILA) gala, Monday, Aug. 6, 2007 in New York. For the last two years Contours Magazine has held this event to raise awareness...   (Associated Press)
A model presents outfit from Taiwanese fashion designer Shiatzy Chen's autumn and winter collection, Wednesday, July 25, 2007, in Taipei, Taiwan. Chen's collection is inspired by styles and materials from the 17th - 21th century, featuring woolens and ruffles, organza and cotton velvet, crystal and laces among colors and embroideries....
A model presents outfit from Taiwanese fashion designer Shiatzy Chen's autumn and winter collection, Wednesday, July 25, 2007, in Taipei, Taiwan. Chen's collection is inspired by styles and materials...   (Associated Press)
A model presents outfit from Taiwanese fashion designer Shiatzy Chen's autumn and winter collection, Wednesday, July 25, 2007, in Taipei, Taiwan. Chen's collection is inspired by styles and materials from the 17th - 21th century, featuring woolens and ruffles, organza and cotton velvet, crystal and laces among colors and embroideries....
A model presents outfit from Taiwanese fashion designer Shiatzy Chen's autumn and winter collection, Wednesday, July 25, 2007, in Taipei, Taiwan. Chen's collection is inspired by styles and materials...   (Associated Press)
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