An Australian fashion designer has won a major legal battle in a trademark dispute with a global pop star.
The High Court of Australia ruled in favour of Katie Perry in her long-running case against singer Katy Perry.
Court Restores Designer’s Trademark
The High Court found that the designer’s clothing label did not harm the singer’s reputation or confuse consumers. Judges said most Australians would not mistake the fashion brand for merchandise linked to the pop star.
The decision allows the designer’s Katie Perry trademark to remain officially registered.
Long Legal Battle
Katie Perry, who later changed her surname to Taylor, launched her fashion brand in 2007. She sold clothing at local markets and promoted the brand through a website and social media platforms.
In 2009, lawyers representing the singer contacted the designer and asked her to stop using the name. However, legal action at that time did not proceed.
Trademark Dispute Over Tour Merchandise
The dispute escalated years later when the designer accused the singer of selling branded clothing during a 2014 Australian tour.
In 2023, a court ruled in favour of the designer. Judges said the sale of items such as hoodies, jackets and T-shirts breached her trademark rights.
However, that decision was overturned on appeal in 2024, when a court cancelled the designer’s trademark.
High Court Reverses Earlier Ruling
The High Court has now overturned that decision. Judges ruled that the singer’s reputation in Australia was already strong enough that consumers would not confuse the two names.
According to the court, “no ordinary person” would assume that the designer’s clothing products were connected to the international pop star.
Designer Calls Decision a Win for Small Businesses
Following the ruling, Katie Perry said the case had been emotionally challenging. She described the decision as confirmation that trademark laws should protect businesses of every size.
She previously described the legal fight as a “David and Goliath” situation between a small local brand and a global celebrity.
Singer’s Team Responds
A spokesperson for Katy Perry said the singer never tried to shut down the designer’s business. The representative added that some issues raised in the case will still return to the Federal Court of Australia for further consideration.
Case Began with a Name
The designer said she created her brand using the name she was born with. She also said she first learned about the singer in 2008, when she heard the hit song I Kissed a Girl on the radio.
She maintained that her goal was simply to build a fashion label under her own name.
