The Punjab and Haryana High Court has quashed a case filed against PUMA for allegedly selling clothing that copied another brand’s design, ruling that there is no copyright protection in the manufacture and sale of clothes.
Background:
The case was brought forward by a competitor who accused PUMA of copying its design in the manufacture of certain clothing items. The complaint alleged that PUMA’s products were identical to the plaintiff’s, infringing on its design rights.
Court’s Ruling:
The court, however, ruled that the design of clothing is not automatically protected by copyright unless it qualifies under the specific criteria of originality and artistic value. The High Court held that clothing, as a functional product, cannot be granted copyright protection unless it is proven to have a distinct artistic feature, which was not demonstrated in this case.
Legal Implications:
This ruling clarifies the limitations of copyright protection for fashion items, reinforcing that not all designs, particularly those that are functional or commonplace, are eligible for copyright. The decision could impact future cases involving fashion and design protection, emphasizing the need for stronger evidence of originality for copyright claims.
Conclusion:
The Punjab and Haryana High Court’s ruling marks a significant decision regarding intellectual property rights in the fashion industry, especially concerning the extent to which clothing designs can be protected under copyright law.