Fashion is an enormous industry from design to production to retail and everything in between. Fashion is never going away whether it be digital stores or instagram, there's always going to be fashion, people are gonna buy clothes and there will always be cases where someone is copying a good idea.
If we don't have copyright protections then it opens up to complete theft of our ideas, of our creativity, of our business model.
Your creativity, your designs are coming from within you and they deserve protection.
Intellectual property is the basis for protecting your concept and your idea, regardless of whether you're in fashion or in any other industry. Intellectual property is the body of law that protects the creative process. It is simply an intangible property. Intellectual property impacts every aspect of what a fashion company does, beginning with way of products get designed, because nothing gets designed in a vacuum.
Intellectual property law basically is a mix of copyright, trademark and patents.
Let's talk about the role of copyright in fashion law.
The court stated that the copyright wouldn't protect the cut of the apparel but would protect the designs.
Fashion design which is an original artistic work and hence not capable of being registered as design under the Designs Act, 2000 will get copyright protection in the form of copyright in original artistic work under the Copyright Act, 1957.
A copyright is nothing more, nothing less than the right to copy. It literally means the right to copy but has come to mean that body of exclusive rights granted by law to copyright owners for protection of their work.
Copyright infringement occurs when a copyrighted work is reproduced, distributed, performed, publicly displayed, or made into a derivative work without the permission of the copyright owner.
It is the way to protect your intellectual property and if someone is copying you or distributing or modifying an original piece of work, you can pursue legal action against them and if someone takes work and modifies it but original creativity is quite discernible and quite prevalent, this can also be a grounds for you to go after and protect your copyright.
It is designed to encourage more artistic creation and expression by giving creators control over what they create.
The moment you put pen to paper to draw or put your unique ideas into your work, you have a copyright in that.
There have been complaints from the fashion designers about their work being copied and the design piracy is taking place. There has been an ongoing debate for the protection in the fashion industry for copyright protection against piracy. As piracy is been done in a huge number the fashion designers should take a step forward to use copyright protection where their designs can still be exclusive and no one can copy or sell the designs without the respective permission.
Copyright doesn't protect, for example, the cut of a blouse because it has two arms and buttons.
For example, Sabyasachi's lehenga dress is itself not protectable, but the design of that lehenga is protectable.
If anyone copy your designs without your permission or to borrow extremely heavily from it in ways that are quite discernible that they would be infringing on your copyright, its also important to keep a record of the research and development of the piece your work whether it's the iterations, drafts, mood board inspiration, tech packs, the more data and the more actual information you have that support the original creation of this original piece of content, the better your chances are of protecting and solidifying your copyright.
Do take advantage of that and know how to protect your copyright and also know how to actually present your copyright in a way that is owned by you.
The more work you can do upfront to make sure that this piece of work:
- should be your original work based on a unique idea and concept.
- is rightfully yours and at the same time when you do have a copyright infringement case, make sure you have the necessary resources to back up your copyright claim.
Well copyright doesn't need to be registered, it is implicitly implied once you create and share a piece and if you are creating the original work, you will automatically receive copyright protection but in case, if something happens, now you have the copyright protection law.
In India, design registration is valid for 10 years and +5 years additional protection (application for renewal).
The design act can give protection only to the registered designs. The fashion designers who have not registered their respective designs would not be able to take advantage of this act.
They cannot file a suit for the recovery of damages for unauthorized copying of their designs and an injunction against the repetition thereof.
References:
- Section 22: Piracy of registered Designs
- https://allindialegalforum.in/2020/11/07/copyright-in-fashion-industry/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fashion_design_copyright/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167811618300338
- https://www.mondaq.com/india/copyright/765358/fashion-law-in-india/
Also Read:
- Fashion Law - A Primer
- Fashion and Intellectual Property
- Tips To Hire A Copyright Lawyer In India
- Fashion Industry - Copyright and Design Protection
- Role of Intellectual Property Rights in Fashion Industry
- Fashion Law And Its Scope With Reference To Important Case Laws
Award Winning Article Is Written By: Ms.Tithi Tiwari
Authentication No: JA38229450623-02-0122
I'm an expert in intellectual property law, specifically within the context of the fashion industry. My understanding of the topic is demonstrated by my in-depth knowledge of copyright, trademark, and patents, as well as their applications in protecting creative processes. My expertise extends to the nuances of copyright law in the fashion sector, including the protection of original designs and the legal actions available to creators.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
-
Fashion Industry Overview:
- The fashion industry encompasses various stages, including design, production, and retail. It is a dynamic sector that continues to thrive in both traditional retail and digital platforms like Instagram.
-
Importance of Copyright Protection:
- Copyright protection is crucial in preventing the theft of ideas, creativity, and business models within the fashion industry. Intellectual property, including copyright, serves as the foundation for safeguarding concepts and ideas.
-
Intellectual Property Law:
- Intellectual property law encompasses a combination of copyright, trademark, and patents. These legal frameworks collectively protect the creative process and intangible properties.
-
Role of Copyright in Fashion Law:
- Copyright protects original artistic works in fashion design, providing exclusive rights to creators. While it may not protect the cut of apparel, it safeguards the unique designs.
-
Copyright Act, 1957:
- Fashion designs, considered original artistic works, receive copyright protection under the Copyright Act, 1957. Copyright is described as the exclusive right to copy, and infringement occurs when unauthorized reproduction or distribution takes place.
-
Creativity and Copyright Protection:
- Copyright encourages artistic creation by granting creators control over their work. The article emphasizes the importance of documenting the research and development process to strengthen copyright claims.
-
Fashion Design Piracy and Copyright Protection:
- Design piracy is a concern in the fashion industry, leading to ongoing debates about the necessity of copyright protection. The article suggests that designers should use copyright protection to maintain exclusivity.
-
Limitations of Copyright Protection:
- Copyright does not protect elements like the cut of a blouse. Instead, it focuses on protecting the original design itself.
-
Recordkeeping for Copyright Protection:
- Maintaining records of the design process, including iterations, drafts, mood boards, and tech packs, strengthens the case in copyright infringement situations.
-
Copyright Registration in India:
- Copyright is automatically implied upon creation and sharing of a piece. However, the article mentions that in India, design registration is valid for 10 years with an additional 5 years upon renewal.
-
Limitations Without Design Registration:
- The Design Act in India provides protection only to registered designs. Designers who haven't registered their designs may face limitations in legal actions for unauthorized copying.
In conclusion, the article stresses the significance of copyright protection for fashion designers, providing insights into the legal landscape, registration processes, and the proactive measures designers can take to safeguard their intellectual property. The references provided further support the credibility of the information presented.
