Katy Perry Wins Years-Long Legal Battle Against Australian Designer

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Katy Perry has emerged victorious in her protracted legal battle with Australian fashion designer Katie Perry, a saga that has spanned over a decade. The verdict, delivered on November 21 in an Australian court, marks the conclusion of the trademark feud between the Grammy-nominated singer and the Sydney-based entrepreneur.

The dispute began in 2009 when the "Roar" hitmaker, born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, faced legal action over trademark infringement claims. Designer Katie Perry, who has operated her label under her birth name since 2007, held a trademark for the name in Australia since 2008. Despite her initial victory in 2023, when the Australian Federal Court ruled in her favour, the pop star appealed, reigniting the legal drama.

With an estimated net worth of $400 million, the "I Kissed a Girl" singer brought significant resources to the case. Designer Katie Perry expressed her devastation following the loss, saying, "I have lost everything, including my trademark. As you can imagine, I’m devastated". She described her label as a lifelong dream she has nurtured since the age of 11.

Perry’s representatives argued that the pop star had been using her name as a trademark for five years before the designer began selling clothes. The judges cited Perry’s established international reputation in music and entertainment as further grounds for her claim. They ultimately cancelled the designer’s trademark registration, describing the case as an "unfortunate" conflict where both women had unknowingly adopted the same name for their respective ventures.

The court noted allegations that Katie had, at times, attempted to align her brand with the pop star’s, increasing the risk of consumer confusion, though they found little evidence of actual confusion. Judges also referenced a 2009 proposal by Katy Perry offering joint rights to the trademark, which the designer rejected. "In that sense, (Katie) has brought this result on herself. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to return to the time of peaceful co-existence", the ruling stated.

The fashion designer expressed her disappointment with the outcome, telling The Guardian, "This case proves a trademark isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on".

The case was not without personal tolls. The designer recalled being targeted by the singer’s fans, enduring sleepless nights, and facing moments of humiliation during the trial, including reading emails in which the pop star reportedly referred to her as a "dumb b---h". Katy’s manager, Steven Jensen, later dismissed the remark, calling it an "emotional response".

Previously, the Australian designer celebrated the initial court ruling as a victory for small businesses, saying, “Not only have I fought for myself, but I fought for small businesses in this country”. Now, however, she finds herself at a crossroads, sharing her plans to “dust herself off” and consider relocating to a place where her name might carry less weight.