Fashion, Textiles and Intellectual Property: Patchworks, Quilts or Veils?

Artsfest / Artsfest 2021 / Fashion, Textiles and Intellectual Property: Patchworks, Quilts or Veils?

Fashion can be utilitarian, or perhaps functional. It can be seen as art, or an expression of its cultural setting. Without doubt, fashion is both fast-changing, as it is eternal.

The fashion industry is a valuable contributor to the creative industries in the UK. Fashion deals in items, the appearance of which is a distinct and important attribute. In order to protect and promote the interests of stakeholders in the fashion industry, the law aims to find suitable rules in protecting the ‘appearance of a product,’ and resultingly stop unfair copying of attractive designs. Although there is some protection in copyright law, much better provisions are found in design law. In this interactive workshop, the speaker explores the basic rules of registered and unregistered design, as they apply to the fashion industry. Audience will get the opportunity to ask specific questions, related to all matters of intellectual property law (including trade marks).

Dr Metka Potočnik is a Lecturer in Law at the University of Wolverhampton (UK). Her research interests focus on the critical investigation of intellectual property law through a feminist lens; and she has published in the area of intellectual property law, arbitration and foreign direct investment. Her most systemic publication is a research monograph Arbitrating Brands (EE 2019), in which she examines the emerging cross-section between international intellectual property law, foreign direct investment and international arbitration. Dr Potočnik is the Acting Editor in Chief at the Wolverhampton Law Journal and also sits on the Board of Directors of the F-List for Music CIC, which focuses on gender equality in the music industry. Dr Potočnik remains an examiner at University of London, and has previously taught at King’s College London, Queen Mary University London, University College London and University of Surrey.

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