Former American Idol judge Katy Perry has reportedly lost a legal battle against an Australian fashion designer named Katie Perry. The two women’s fight over trademark has been going on for over a decade.
Katy Perry Loses Legal Battle Over Name
The Daily Beast reports that Katy Perry has lost her legal battle against a fashion designer named Katie Perry, who is currently known professionally by her married name, Katie Taylor. Australia’s highest court ruled this week that Taylor can sell clothes under her maiden name.
The irony is that Katy Perry was actually born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, and began using Katy Perry as a stage name around 2001. The legal dispute between Perry and Taylor reportedly began in 2009, as the singer prepared to perform her Hello Katy tour in Australia.
Taylor apparently received a cease-and-desist letter from Perry’s lawyers demanding she stop selling clothes under the name Katie Perry. Eventually, Taylor got the trademark for clothing, while Perry revised her own trademark to cover music and entertainment.
Then in 2019, Taylor filed a lawsuit arguing that Perry’s merchandise violated her trademark rights. Although she initially won the case, the decision was overtured on appeal, and a judge decided that the “Katie Perry” trademark should be canceled. However, the decision was reversed this week.
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How Did the Designer React to the Win?
Katie Taylor told CNN that winning her case against Katy Perry “feels like a dream,” adding, “So many people said to me, like, why don’t you just give up? It’s not worth it. I really believe in standing up for your values. Truth and justice are part of my core and my values.”
Meanwhile, a representative for Perry told the outlet in a statement, “Katy Perry has never sought to close down Ms. Taylor’s business or stop her selling clothes under the KATIE PERRY label.”
Taylor said she’ll now be getting “back to business” selling clothes at markets in Sydney, adding, “Now I can start really looking forward and focusing on the future. I’m really excited.”
