U.S pop singer Katy Perry has successfully appealed a trademark decision over her name, after she was sued by an Australian designer who sells clothes under her birth name, Katie Perry.
On Friday, November 22, three appeals judges overturned a 2023 court decision that favoured Katie Taylor over merchandise sold by the pop star during a 2014 tour of Australia.
The judges remarked that Perry had been using her name as a trademark five years before Taylor started her business, adding that by that time, Perry had achieved an “international reputation” in entertainment.
Presently, the judges cancelled Taylor’s trademark registration on Friday.
Taylor had likened her legal battle with Perry to a “David and Goliath” situation, telling the Sydney Morning Herald after Friday’s ruling that she was “devastated” with the case outcome.
The appeals judges had shown remorse, saying that it was “unfortunate” that the case pitted two enterprising women who used their names as trademarks but were not aware that the other existed.
The judges had said;
“Both women put blood, sweat and tears into developing their businesses.”“As the fame of one grew internationally, the other became aware of her namesake and filed a trademark application,” they added.
Friday’s ruling comes as pop singer, Perry prepares for her Lifetimes world tour scheduled for early 2025 to support her comeback album 143.
