US EditionKaty Perry loses 17-year trademark battle to Australian designer Katie Perry
The High Court found the designer’s trademark did not breach laws or cause confusion, ending a nearly 17-year dispute and awarding costs to the Australian small business owner.
- On Wednesday, the Australian High Court ruled in favor of Sydney designer Katie Taylor, restoring her right to sell clothing under her 'Katie Perry' trademark against pop star Katy Perry.
- Taylor registered her business name in 2007 and applied for the trademark months later; the American singer, born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, rose to global fame shortly after, prompting cease-and-desist letters from her management in 2009.
- High Court Justices Jayne Jagot, Simon Steward, and Jacqueline Gleeson found no likelihood of consumer confusion, noting the singer had no established clothing reputation in Australia by 2008 and determining the mark was lawful.
- Following the ruling, Katy Perry was ordered to pay Taylor's legal costs, with the exact amount to be determined by the Federal Court, reversing a 2024 decision that had cancelled the designer's trademark.
- Taylor, who described the case as a "David and Goliath" battle, said the victory protects small businesses from larger brands and clarifies how courts assess reputation in future name-based trademark disputes.
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91 Articles
EXCLUSIVE: 'I'm just one person': Inside designer Katie Perry's battle with Katy Perry
An Australian fashion designer has won a trademark case against pop star Katy Perry. The case was about who has the right to sell clothes bearing the Katie Perry, or Katy Perry name. Katy Perry, the singer, was born Kathryn Elizabeth Hudson but adopted her stage name in about 2001. Katie Perry, the designer, was born with that name, but changed to other names, including Katie Taylor. The court heard the designer did not know about the singer whe…
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The ExaminerDesigner delights in dark horse victory over Katy Perry
What's in a name?For international pop star Katy Perry and Australian fashion designer Katie Perry, the answer can be found in a slight variation in spelling and more than six years of litigation.The fight over the rights to the Katie/Katy Perry name began when the designer - now known as Katie Taylor - sued the performer behind Firework and Roar for trademark infringement.The US singer, whose real name is Katheryn Hudson, hit back with a bid to…
Katy Perry Loses Bitter 16-Year Legal Battle Against Katie Perry
Australian designer Katie Perry has won a trademark case against US pop star Katy Perry after a 16-year-long legal battle. The High Court of Australia on Wednesday, March 11, found that the former had not hurt the singer’s reputation or misled consumers with her eponymous clothing brand, which she started in 2007. Netizens have shared their reactions following the verdict, with the majority criticizing the Hot N Cold singer’s decision to go agai…
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