Katy Perry wins trademark battle in Australia after being sued by designer Katie Perry

nme.com:

Katy Perry has successfully appealed against a trademark case over her name after she was sued by an Australian designer who trades under her birth name Katie Perry.Three appeals judges overturned a court decision that favoured the designer, Katie Taylor, over merchandise sold by Perry during a 2014 tour of Australia.The judges pointed out that Perry had been using her name as a trademark five years before Taylor started her business and by that time, Perry had attained an “international reputation” in entertainment.

They also cancelled Taylor’s trademark registration.In addition, they acknowledged that it was “unfortunate” that the case pitted two women against each other who used their names as trademarks but weren’t aware of each other’s existence.“Both women put blood, sweat and tears into developing their businesses,” the judges said. “As the fame of one grew internationally, the other became aware of her namesake and filed a trademark application.”“This is a tale of two women, two teenage dreams and one name.”In response, Taylor told The Sydney Morning Herald: “I am devastated with the outcome of the case.

I won my case at first instance and to have it overturned on appeal is heartbreaking.“This case proves a trademark isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on.