A Step In The Right Direction For Designers’ Copyright Protection

Back in August, Senator Chuck Schumer introduced The Innovative Design Protection and Piracy Prevention Act as a legislation meant to protect designers from copycats and allow them to file for copyright protection for their patterns and designs. The bill has been backed by The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) as well as the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA). Just yesterday, the legislation was unanimously passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee. According to Elle.com, “The new bill specifically states that it protects ‘unique and original designs,’ so signature brands and young designers that have struggled to keep their logos and designs from being knocked-off can now breathe a little sigh of relief.”

So what does this mean for the knockoff industry? If the bill becomes a law it will not eradicate knockoffs for good, but it would limit the availability of counterfeits. Unique designs would be protected by law and those who design, manufacture and sell knockoffs could be punished. Fashionista.com asked Susan Scafidi, intellectual property attorney and director of Fordham’s Fashion Law Institute, about the bill. She said it could “a) protect a new design for three years after it’s been put into production, b) spur creativity in mass retail, and c) stop designers–peers–from knocking each other off.”

(Photo taken from NY Magazine’s blog “The Cut”)

The bill is greatly supported by those who value a designer’s creative integrity and originality, and of course by the luxury designers themselves who are constantly being copied by the counterfeit industry. We found some great responses on Twitter:

“Knockoff’s get a knockdown! It’s a good day for designers.”

“Sorry (not really) for flooding with tweets about the #IDPPA but its passing today is revolutionary for fashion designers!”

“It’s A Good Day for Designers. The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passes IDPPA!”

We have to say we are pretty excited about this new legislation too!