tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82321015191016515342024-03-13T12:36:18.816-07:00Canada Fashion LawAshlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232101519101651534.post-52028561164137382122013-04-08T12:21:00.000-07:002013-04-08T12:21:13.385-07:00We've moved! <br />
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Thanks for checking in with CanadaFashionLaw. We've had a little botox and welcome you to go to our improved website: <a href="http://www.canadafashionlaw.com/"><span class="s1">www.canadafashionlaw.com</span></a>.</div>
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A special thank you to Alina Kulesh for all her hard work in helping creating the new website.</div>
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Stay fashionable!</div>
Ashlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232101519101651534.post-14290094507040157992013-03-21T08:43:00.001-07:002013-03-21T08:43:20.821-07:00CanadaFashionLaw Speaks Up<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>CanadaFashionLaw </strong>has some interesting speaking engagements coming up in the Spring across North America. If you happen to be in Toronto, Chicago or Dallas (yee-haw), feel free to drop by any of the upcoming events to talk shop:</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">1. Fashion Crimes at the Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto)</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>CanadaFashionLaw </strong>will be joining fashion gurus, Jeanne Beker, Jeremy Laing, Robert Ott and Nicholas Mellamphy at the Royal Ontario Museum to discuss hot topics in the fashion industry on April 10, 2013.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">If you're interested in joining in on the discussion, you can find more information <a href="http://www.rom.on.ca/en/activities-programs/events-calendar/fashion-crimes-the-big-debate" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">2. John Marshall Law School Fashion and Design Law Symposium (Chicago)</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>CanadaFashionLaw</strong> has been helping some very eager law students across the border set up their first fashion law symposium. It's great to be around such positive and enthusiastic people. If you're in the mid-west, feel free to join us on April 12. You find more about this event by clicking <a href="http://jmls2013fashionlawsymposium.eventbrite.com/#" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">3. Fashion Law Roundtable at the International Trademarks Association's AGM (Dallas)</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>CanadaFashionLaw</strong> will be hosting a roundtable discussion on how intellectual property laws can be used to protect fashion designs on May 8, 2013. Although this roundtable has sold out (on the first day!), <strong>CanadaFashionLaw </strong>would love to meet up with anyone else attending the INTA AGM. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">It looks like it's going to be a busy couple of months. What to wear, what to wear?! </span></div>
Ashlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232101519101651534.post-18540265892022491882013-02-21T13:48:00.000-08:002013-02-21T13:48:05.641-08:00We Care about the Small Players!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you a small business owner or entrepreneur in Canada? Are you frustrated with Canada's intellectual property regime? If yes, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (and <strong>CanadaFashionLaw</strong>) wants to hear from you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The Canadian Intellectual Property Office ("CIPO") is hosting a number of roundtable discussions across Canada in March dedicated to businesses that have less than 500 employees and have filed at least one patent or trade-mark application in Canada.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Essentially, CIPO wants to get input from the trenches on what's working and what's not working. This is a great opportunity for small businesses to help make the system work for them!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.cipo.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr03521.html" target="_blank">Click here</a> if you would like to register for one of the roundtable sessions?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Want to have your voice heard but can't make it to the event, feel free to get in touch with <strong>CanadaFashionLaw</strong> and we can speak up on your behalf!</span></div>
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Ashlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232101519101651534.post-21773734311767939992013-02-20T13:45:00.000-08:002013-02-20T13:45:09.821-08:00Mon Dieu: Canada est Bilingue!
<span style="font-family: Arial;">It’s a good thing that old Montreal is so darned
charming because doing business there can cause some retailers a headache!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When launching a product or business in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region> it is important to remember that <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region> is a
bilingual country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it can be a PR and
legal nightmare if you forget it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The Charter of French Language’s
goal is to strengthen the status of the French language in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Quebec</st1:place></st1:state> in all spheres of public life, including
business and commerce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t have to
have a brick and mortar presence in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Quebec</st1:state></st1:place>
in order for the Charter to apply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
safe to say that if your product is available for sale in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Quebec</st1:place></st1:state> in any way (online, through a third
party retailer or at your own retail location), the Charter applies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>French should be used in respect of product
wrapping, manuals, websites, advertisements, posters, store fronts, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How the French version is displayed (i.e.
prominence) varies depending on the medium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The Charter contains some
exceptions, which can make the application of the Charter clear as mud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Generally, if an English version of a
trade-mark is registered in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
you are not required to use the French equivalent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, this exception is currently under
challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The Office Quebecois de la langue francaise (“OQLF”)
is the body tasked with ensuring compliance with the Charter of French Language
in respect of commerce and business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
OQLF cannot sue or impose fines for violations; however, it can refer the
matters to the Attorney General of Quebec which can bring the matter before <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Quebec</st1:place></st1:state>’s provincial
court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Generally, penal sanctions are
awarded for infractions which can range from $600 to $20,000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fines are generally imposed <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">per</b> non-compliant product type, as
opposed to item being sold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I<span style="font-family: Arial;">n November 2011, the OQLF launched an awareness
campaign and tightened its grips on storefront signs requiring French to be
used, regardless of the above-noted trade-mark exception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The OQLF targeted a number of national
retailers demanding their exterior signage to be changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Collectively, retailers such as Old Navy,
Banana Republic, Guess and Gap sought declaratory relief from the Quebec
Superior Court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Retail Council of
Canada is also rolling up its sleeves as an intervener.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looks like <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Quebec</st1:state></st1:place> will remain a retailer’s battleground
for 2013!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Stay tuned
to CanadaFashionLaw for updates on this!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Ashlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232101519101651534.post-67130809985399234422013-02-15T10:50:00.001-08:002013-02-15T10:50:37.837-08:00Toronto Fashion Week - March 2013<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ladies and gentlemen. I have a little Valentine's Day gift for you, albeit one day late. Toronto's fashion week, World's MasterCard Fashion Week, has issued its schedule for the Fall/Winter 2013 line. For full details, go to <a href="http://worldmastercardfashionweek.com/calendar/">http://worldmastercardfashionweek.com/calendar/</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We continue to see some recurring talent (Pink Tartan, Joe Fresh, Vawk, Bustle, Rudsak, Sid Neigum), which is fantastic! It's also great to see crowd-pleasing Korhani return to the catwalk. (Korhani is actually a carpet and rug designer that uses Toronto's fashion weeks to show case how beautiful their carpet designs are. The sheer creativity is impressive!) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">A special shout out goes to Toronto Fashion Incubator and Fashion Group International, who both made it on to the official schedule. Toronto Fashion Incubator is hosting two Press and Buyer lunches; Fashion Group International is co-hosting a speed networking event. <strong>CanadaFashionLaw </strong>regularly supports both organizations and delights in seeing them try to raise Canada's fashion industry to the next level.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Let us know if you're going to be at any of the shows. We hope to see you there!</span></div>
Ashlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232101519101651534.post-53906105013413822572013-01-24T15:28:00.000-08:002013-01-24T15:28:00.662-08:00Fashion Tidbits<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">After a little hiatus, <strong><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span></strong> is back and, mon dieu, do we have some stuff to chat about! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>1. Galliano Makes a Come Back</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">You may recall Galliano's fall from grace after his MAJOR fashion faux pas - hurling racist comments. (<a href="http://canadafashionlaw.blogspot.ca/2011/06/hate-will-take-you-nowhere-fast-john.html" target="_blank">Click here</a> if you need a reminder). After two years of radio silence, Galliano may be making a come back. Oscar de la Renta, the master of the red carpet, is allowing Galliano to use some of this studio space on a temporary basis. It will be interesting to see whether Galliano will be accepted again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>2. Christian Louboutin and Yves Saint Laurent Continue their Stomp Off</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">If you had the slightest interest in shoes, the colour red or fashion law last year, I'm pretty sure you heard about the Christian Louboutin v. Yves Saint Laurent case. (<a href="http://canadafashionlaw.blogspot.ca/p/cases.html" target="_blank">Click here</a> for all the juicy details). Although the court released its decision and Louboutin chose not to appeal, this matter has not been put to bed. As per the decision, Louboutin is required to amend the colour claim in its trade-mark registration. The parties are now embroiled in a chain of letters to and from the US Patent and Trademarks Office about how exactly the colour claim should be revised. Who said being a fashion lawyer wasn't fun? </span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">3. Ford Modelling Agency Closes its Toronto Office</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">In a surprise announcement, esteemed modelling agency Ford Models closed its Toronto office in January 2013. Ford Models did not issue a press release and there is no indication as to why the Toronto office was closed. Nonetheless, Toronto's competing modelling agencies were quick to swoop in to sign those models who had been signed to Ford Models.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">4.<span style="color: red;"> CanadaFashionLaw</span> Struts its Stuff</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span></strong> has some exciting things coming up. If you're interested in getting up to speed on all things fashion, the following may interest you:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">- We'll be featured in the style edition of The University of Toronto's alumni magazine talking about the bigger ramifications of counterfeiting; </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">- As a board member of the Toronto chapter of Fashion Group International, we'll be hosting a 4-part roundtable series on laws relevant to the fashion industry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">- In April, we'll be speaking at the John Marshall Law School in Chicago at their Fashion Law Society conference.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">- In May, we're hosting a roundtable seminar at the International Trademarks Association's Annual General Meeting on fashion law, (which sold out on the first day. That's right - we did a happy dance!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">If this is any indication, 2013 is going to be a busy year!</span></div>
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Ashlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232101519101651534.post-40629832033322001742012-12-06T14:07:00.000-08:002012-12-06T14:07:09.358-08:00The Gift that Keeps on Giving<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">There are a couple of common
themes here at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span>:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">We love the
business of fashion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">We seriously
geek out over intellectual property, especially trade-marks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">We love our job!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We attended an event last
night that simply reaffirmed point numero three!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Once
in a while an organization comes across our desk that makes us believe in
humanity!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Billable targets go out the
window and our strong desire to “make a difference” becomes our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">modus operandi</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enter FINCA, who we work for on a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pro bono</i> basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">FINCA
is an international micro-financing organization that focuses on providing “financial
services to the world’s lowest-income entrepreneurs so they can create jobs,
build assets and improve their standard of living”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>FINCA provides small loans at reasonable
interest rates to individuals in developing countries that need a little
help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The vast majority of the loan
recipients are women who are able to create their own business, which benefits
their immediate family and the local economy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s really a beautiful thing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As
with all things, we’re able to tie this back to fashion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Fashion really is omnipresent in our world!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last night we attended a private event hosted
by Burberry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In support of FINCA, 15% of
all profits of Burberry merchandise sales will be donated to FINCA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, this charitable offer is open to all
customers up until Saturday December 8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So if you’re in a festive and giving mood, perhaps consider buying your
holiday presents at Burberry and dropping the name FINCA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may
well be the gift that keeps on giving!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Ashlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232101519101651534.post-22708240090931317042012-11-20T13:19:00.004-08:002012-11-20T13:19:51.484-08:00Feeling the Burn<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unlike copyright and trade-marks, we don't often see fashion houses duke it out in the patent arena. It's no surprise that the fashion world's interest was piqued when one of Canada's most successful athletic retailers, Lululemon, launched a patent design infringement case against Calvin Klein in the US. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">For those who had their bottle of bubbly chilled waiting for the outcome of the case, it appears that the bottle will stay corked. Lululemon filed its Notice of Voluntary Dismissal today against Calvin Klein. It's a pretty safe bet that the parties settled the matter - likely under confidential terms. Although reaching a settlement is often the most cost effective and time efficient route for companies that are embroiled in litigation, it always presents a missed opportunity to set interesting case law for the fashion community. </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Stay tuned to <strong><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span></strong> for updates on other interesting cases. </span></div>
Ashlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232101519101651534.post-59105740166614407672012-11-15T12:52:00.000-08:002012-11-15T12:52:18.952-08:00Hear ye, hear ye!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes when you're a start-up business or entrepreneur, life can be a little overwhelming. It's a delight to see that the Canadian Intellectual Property Office is ensuring that this doesn't happen to small and medium business enterprises! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Over the next few weeks, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office will be hosting a series of roundtable discussions throughout Canada with small and medium enterprises to ascertain what their experience is with Canada's intellectual property system. It will be interesting to hear what the barriers and challenges face small and medium business enterprises in protecting and enforcing their intellectual property in Canada. What works? What needs a little mani-pedi-botox? It will also be interesting to see if any changes are made to Canada's intellectual property system, to better assist the small and medium business enterprises.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Here's a summary of the roundtables. if you're interested in attending the roundtables to voice your opinion or to hear what others have to say:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Halifax: November 21 and 22</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Montreal: November 28 and 29</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Edmonton: December 5 and 6</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Ottawa: December 10 and 11</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Toronto: December 11</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Waterloo: December 12</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
Ashlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232101519101651534.post-34116249629826712392012-11-07T13:35:00.000-08:002012-11-07T13:35:56.848-08:00Beautifully Legal? Legally Beautiful? <div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although <strong><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span></strong> tries to steer clear of shameless plugs, we couldn't resist </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">letting you know about our upcoming event that will be of interest to players in the cosmetics and beauty product industry. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>CanadaFashionLaw</strong> <span style="color: black;">will</span> </span>be participating in a free breakfast seminar that looks at the legal issues surrounding the beauty industry. Our aim is to help you cleanse your pores and launch into the Canadian market fresh-faced! This seminar will tackle branding, regulatory, corporate/commercial and patent laws. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">If you think that your business strategy may need a little mani-pedi-botox, feel free to check out the invite: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3kYw8kP3ruI/UJrT7CFSKDI/AAAAAAAAALc/45aU6DkjhAY/s1600/invite.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3kYw8kP3ruI/UJrT7CFSKDI/AAAAAAAAALc/45aU6DkjhAY/s640/invite.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Ashlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232101519101651534.post-40227911671658146532012-10-31T10:44:00.000-07:002012-10-31T10:44:09.354-07:00The ROM Goes BIG<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> was delighted to be given an exclusive invitation to
the <st1:placename w:st="on">Royal</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Ontario</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Museum</st1:placetype>’s preview event of its newest
installation in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Patricia</st1:placename>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Harris</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Gallery</st1:placename></st1:place>
of Textiles & Costume, BIG.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
exhibit showcases 40 articles from the ROM’s collection of nearly 50,000
textiles and costumes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">During
the event, Dr. Alexandra Palmer (the exhibit’s curator) talked about her vision
for the Gallery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This, in particular, piqued
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw’s</span></b> interest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She gets it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fashion and textiles go beyond “pretty”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fashion and textiles reflect significant cultural and social values that
change with the times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does a woman’s
corset represent more than a strong desire for an hour-glass shape?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it that different from the ancient Chinese
tradition to bind women’s feet to maintain a 7.5 cm length?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The exhibit spans different cultures and time
periods and allows the audience to draw their own conclusions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re looking for a little modern day controversy,
the exhibit displays one of John Galliano’s last haute couture dresses he
created at the Dior house before his dismissal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span></b> previously
covered this case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you need a
refresher, <a href="http://canadafashionlaw.blogspot.ca/2011/09/hate-will-cost-you.html" target="_blank">click here</a>).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Dr.
Palmer enthusiastically explained that the ROM wishes to be a catalyst and a
forum to foster innovation, conversation and debate for the fashion and
textiles community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was clear that through
the ROM, Dr. Palmer’s infectious energy and enthusiasm will help shape the
voice of the Canadian fashion industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> strongly encourages you to check out the ROM’s BIG exhibit,
which will be open until Fall 2013.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ashlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232101519101651534.post-16219338235378519852012-10-25T11:58:00.000-07:002012-10-25T12:59:30.757-07:00Glass Half Empty for Industrial Design Protection in Canada?<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">An
interesting decision was recently issued by <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country>’s Federal Court, which has
sparked some interest in the intellectual property arena: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bodum USA, Inc. and PI Design AG v. Trudeau Corporation (1889) Inc.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The case focuses on industrial design
infringement, a type of intellectual property that is rarely litigated in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">What is an Industrial Design?</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Before
delving into the case, let’s get back to basics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Industrial design is not as commonly known
(or understood) as its intellectual property counterparts: patents, trade-marks
or copyright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Industrial designs seek to
protect ornamentation on functional articles, specifically:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">features
of shape, configuration, pattern or ornament and any combination of those
features that, in a finished article, appeal to and are judged solely by the
eye</span>”<o:p></o:p></blockquote>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">On
the face of it, you would think that this type of protection would be extremely
useful for consumer products and fashion designs and accessories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, this case simply reiterates
that industrial design protection is a more fickle type of protection in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An
examination of this decision will illustrate why.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Who Are the Players?</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The
Bodum brand was established in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Denmark</st1:place></st1:country>
in 1944 and is well known for its kitchen products.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PI Design AG owns several industrial design
registrations in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country>
for the shaping of glasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PI Design AG
licenses these industrial designs to Bodum USA Inc., who distributes the Bodum
products in the <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">US</st1:country>, <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Canada</st1:country>, <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Mexico</st1:country>
and <st1:place w:st="on">South America</st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Trudeau
Corporation (1889) Inc. is a Quebec-based company that was founded in
1889.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It designs, imports, develops and
markets kitchen products in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country>
and internationally. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">What’s At Stake?</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Bodum
owns industrial design registrations for glassware in the following shapes:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FUdUNQJrJM0/UImKu9tL7qI/AAAAAAAAAK8/QyCJgmVWVtw/s1600/image+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FUdUNQJrJM0/UImKu9tL7qI/AAAAAAAAAK8/QyCJgmVWVtw/s320/image+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IF0KqLMK46I/UImK9vbkJkI/AAAAAAAAALE/s_rz9YS939c/s1600/image+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IF0KqLMK46I/UImK9vbkJkI/AAAAAAAAALE/s_rz9YS939c/s320/image+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">These
glasses were first made available in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Canada</st1:country></st1:place> towards the end of 2003 or
the beginning of 2004.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Canadian
Intellectual Property Office issued industrial design registrations for these
glasses on February 1, 2006.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
additional variations of the industrial designs were registered by Bodum. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Trudeau
introduced its glasses to the Canadian market in the latter half of 2006:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ud9zG3vj7VQ/UImLaYqe0LI/AAAAAAAAALM/J9WT5Idt700/s1600/image+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ud9zG3vj7VQ/UImLaYqe0LI/AAAAAAAAALM/J9WT5Idt700/s320/image+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Bodum
did not take too kindly to the competing products and promptly commenced an
action claiming industrial design infringement and unfair competition, which is
contrary to the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Trade-marks Act</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unsurprisingly, Trudeau denied Bodum’s
allegations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trudeau kicked it up a
notch by seeking to invalidate Bodum’s industrial design registrations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">What are the Issues Before the Court?</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The
Federal Court was tasked with considering the following issues:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> a)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Did Trudeau
infringe Bodum’s industrial designs?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Are Bodum’s
industrial design registrations invalid?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Does Trudeau’s
marketing constitute unfair competition via an offence of confusion?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">What was the Decision?</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">If
you’re looking for a quick answer, here it is: Bodum lost out – there was no
infringement or confusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trudeau
reigned supreme – Bodum’s industrial design registrations were held to be
invalid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">How Did the Court Reach that Decision?</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">It
is important to understand some fundamental tenets of industrial design law in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Industrial designs
protect visual features of an article.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Industrial designs do
not protect functionality.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">An industrial design
can be registered if it satisfies the above criteria and does not closely
resemble any other registered industrial design.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In order for there to
be infringement, the articles must be substantially the same.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Trudeau
called into action the only expert witness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The expert had a degree in industrial design and was an industrial
design consultant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The expert came to
the following conclusions:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Bodum’s glass shapes
were not particularly unique.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
were minimal differences between Bodum’s glasses and others in the
marketplace.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">He did concede that
the interior and exterior lines of the respective parties’ products were
different.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The
court recognized that there was a functional aspect to the double wall
configuration of the glasses: the space between the walls helped to keep hot
drinks warm and cold drinks cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus,
Bodum was not granted a monopoly over all double wall glasses in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Canada</st1:country></st1:place>,
but rather the look of the double wall glasses as identified in the industrial
design registrations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The
major difference between Bodum and Trudeau’s glasses lay in the shaping of the
interior line of the glass: Bodum’s glasses were convex whereas Trudeau’s
glasses were at first convex and then became concave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both parties’ exterior line are convex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ultimately the court decided that the Trudeau
glasses had “almost none of the features of the configuration of industrial
designs in question”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The
court recognizes that industrial design registrations enjoy a prima facie
presumption of validity – but this is a rebuttable presumption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The court considered Bodum’s industrial
design registrations in light of the prior art and held that they were not
substantially different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As such, the
industrial designs did not meet the criteria for registration and, as such, the
registrations will be expunged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">What Does This All Mean?</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Let’s
keep in mind that this may not be the end of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This decision was at the trial level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bodum may appeal this decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have yet to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <strong><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span> </strong>will keep you posted.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This
decision confirms that relying on industrial designs as the only type of
intellectual property protection is risky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
It is best to try to augment industrial design protection with other types of intellectual property protection. </span>Generally, industrial designs are known to be a a very narrow form of protection in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> However, in Canada we have seen intellectul property laws evolve with industry's demands. For example, M</span>etro-Goldwyn Meyer
successfully struggled for <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country>
to recognize sound marks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Canada</st1:country> needs a strong industry player to push
the envelope through <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country>’s
judiciary to turn industrial design protection from a sleeping giant to an
effective tool for businesses to protect their creative ingenuity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ashlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232101519101651534.post-13870423387668533652012-10-22T13:10:00.000-07:002012-10-22T13:10:03.701-07:00Model Behaviour<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With Toronto's Fashion Week kicking off this week, Toronto's streets have been filled with models strutting between "go sees" for the last couple of weeks. We thought this would be a good opportunity to see what's happening on the modelling side of the fashion industry. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span></strong> has taken note of a growing awareness within the fashion industry of health issues specific to fashion models. <a href="http://canadafashionlaw.blogspot.ca/2011/09/getting-skinny-on-models-health-in.html" target="_blank">Click here</a> to read up on some retailers' fresh approach to their advertisements. Also,<a href="http://canadafashionlaw.blogspot.ca/2012/02/dont-exploit-me-because-im-beautiful.html" target="_blank"> click here</a> to read up on how models are taking matters into their own hands to create a more healthy work environment.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Refreshingly, this past weekend Ryerson's School of Fashion hosted a conference dedicated to advocating for increased diversity on the catwalk, including age, size and race. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Across the border, a number of modelling agencies have found themselves to be in hot water over a class action suit claiming that the agencies have been mixing agency funds with funds held on behalf of their models and profiting off the interest accrued. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">This is not the first time that modelling agencies have been involved in a class action suit in the US. In fact, in 2005 they were subject to a multi-million dollar suit for fixing rates and commissions between agencies.</span></div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
Ashlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232101519101651534.post-71831214928481792772012-10-17T12:47:00.000-07:002012-10-17T12:47:19.683-07:00Be It Resolved: IP Really Is Everywhere!
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Relishing
the opportunity to watch smart, meaningful and intelligent debate, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span></b> has been seriously
enjoying the <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country>
election debates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine our delight
when intellectual property laws and counterfeiting snuck into the second
presidential debate, albeit for a few precious seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It got us thinking…<strong>what is the significance
of a country’s domestic intellectual property laws</strong>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Intellectual
property laws are critical to businesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Intellectual property laws protect significant business assets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They protect ingenuity, creativity,
inventiveness…the list goes on and on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
the end of the day, intellectual property laws enhance entrepreneurship, which
can only encourage the private sector to flourish and thus benefit a country’s
economy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">But
not all countries treat intellectual property the same and this can
significantly impact the private sector’s decision making, not only in terms of
where the business operates but also in respect of the country in which it chooses
to enforce its rights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A country that
has weaker intellectual property laws may attracts fewer foreign businesses to
those markets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(A previous <a href="http://canadafashionlaw.blogspot.ca/2011/09/taking-on-worldtaking-your-brand-global.html" target="_blank">article</a> on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span></b> looked at the business
rational behind multi-jurisdictional litigation.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As
fabulous as <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Canada</st1:country>’s private
sector is, <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country>
needs to attract foreign businesses to help keep the Canadian economy robust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strong intellectual property laws can be a
carrot to bringing those businesses to our market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The intellectual property law community
recognizes this and wants to work with and advocate for businesses to help
shape intellectual property laws that assist businesses flourish in our economy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, the Intellectual Property
Institute of Canada (“IPIC”) ensures that it brings intellectual property law
issues to the table at international trade negotiations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IPIC and your intellectual property law
professional are always interested in hearing about the challenges that the
private sector faces when launching their business in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Don’t
be shy speak up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Help us help you.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Ashlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232101519101651534.post-69294334213315136382012-10-16T08:15:00.001-07:002012-10-16T08:16:40.757-07:00End of the Road for Christian Louboutin v. Yves Saint Laurent<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">It appears that fashion's most infamous case has finally come to a close. If you want to read up on the Christian Louboutin v. Yves Saint Laurent case, you'll find a full summary <a href="http://canadafashionlaw.blogspot.ca/p/cases.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Both parties seemingly came away from the Appeal decision satisfied: Christian Louboutin's trade-mark registration remained valid and exclusivity was maintained with respect to red soles with contrasting shoes; Yves Saint Laurent was found not to infringe </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with respect to its red shoes, red soles color configuration.</span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As of today (October 16), Yves Saint Laurent has filed submissions with the Appeals court seeking it dismiss its various counterclaims against Christian Louboutin. It appears that both parties are intent on putting this matter behind them and continue to focus on their respective businesses. </span></div>
Ashlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232101519101651534.post-84247884693403339762012-09-28T07:59:00.001-07:002012-09-28T07:59:45.868-07:00Speaking Engagements on Fashion Law<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The summer is over and tans are starting to fade. September came with a vengeance and is almost over. It's been a busy time here at <strong><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span></strong> and it appears that it is only going to get more busy. But we love all things fashionably legal and so we're up for the challenge.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Below is a quick summary of a number of speaking engagements coming up for <strong><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span> </strong>owner, author and operator, Ashlee Froese:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<ul>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Presenting at the <strong>Intellectual Property Institute of Canada</strong> on October 12, 2012 in Vancouver, British Columbia on protection fashion designs in Canada through intellectual property laws; </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Speaking at the <strong>Queen's Business Forum on the Fashion Industry</strong> on November 2, 2012 in Kingston, Ontario on laws affecting the fashion industry;</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Hosting a legal roundtable series on laws affecting the fashion industry throughout 2012 and 2013 with the <strong>Fashion Group International - Toronto Chapter</strong>;</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Hosting a roundtable discussion at the <strong>International Trademarks Association</strong> in Dallas, Texas on May 8, 2013 on </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Navigating Through Non-Traditional Trade-Marks and Industrial Design to
Protect Fashion Designs.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">If you're interested in attending any or all of these events, please feel free to reach out for further information.</span></div>
<ul><div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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</div>
</ul>
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</div>
Ashlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232101519101651534.post-71743888608397965492012-09-21T11:46:00.002-07:002012-09-21T11:46:48.600-07:00Mon Dieu: Chanel Accused of Counterfeiting<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country> is known
for its fashion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps more
importantly within the fashion world, <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">France</st1:country>
is known as being one of the last remaining champions of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">petites mains</i>: highly skilled tailors
and seamstresses that are the “behind the scenes” technicians to <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place>’s most notorious haute couture fashion houses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a surprising David v. Goliath decision, <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country> demonstrated
its support to the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">petites mains</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
World Tricot was
a knitwear supplier to Chanel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2009,
World Tricot commenced an action against Chanel after it discovered a Chanel-branded
cardigan for sale bearing a striking resemblance to knitwear created by World
Tricot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Claiming ownership rights over
the knitwear design, World Tricot sought damages for counterfeiting and
wrongful termination of a business relationship. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chanel vehemently denied these allegations and
counterclaimed that World Tricot was publicly disparaging Chanel’s reputation
and goodwill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moreover, Chanel stated
that they had never been accused of stealing the designs of a supplier in any
of their 400+ supplier arrangements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the trial
level, Chanel was successful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
World Tricot stood its ground by appealing the decision, which ultimately
resulted in Chanel paying €200,000 in damages for counterfeiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In today’s economy where manufacturing is globally
outsourced and the domestic small shop is coming under increasing pressure,
this decision is likely welcomed by <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country>’s domestic
manufacturers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The decision is
definitely a boost for the small business in the fashion industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no word yet on whether Chanel will
appeal this decision to the French Supreme Court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Ashlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232101519101651534.post-29525440385570599512012-09-18T11:20:00.001-07:002012-09-18T11:20:36.395-07:00Louboutin v. YSL Forced to Agree to Disagree
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The
fashion law community has been carefully watching Christian Louboutin and Yves
Saint Laurent battle over red-soled shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="color: red;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">CanadaFashionLaw</b> </span>has kept its
readers in the know every step of the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’re pleased to provide a summary on the much anticipated appeal
decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(If you’ve been hiding under a
rock and need to catch up to this whole dispute <a href="http://canadafashionlaw.blogspot.ca/p/fashiony-cases.html" target="_blank">click here</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">At
first the twitter-verse heralded this decision as a definitive win for
Christian Louboutin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, on closer
examination this appears to be more of a win-win (or a lose-lose)
situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ultimately, co-existence is
the name of the game – a concept that is common in the trade-marks world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">First
and foremost, the <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Appeals Court</st1:address></st1:street>
found fault in the District Court’s holding that a single color cannot serve as
a trade-mark in the fashion industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I
can hear Tiffany’s breath a sign of relief).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Second, the <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Appeals Court</st1:address></st1:street>
confirmed that Christian Louboutin has acquired secondary meaning in the
red-soled shoe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, here is the
crux of the decision that lead to co-existence in the marketplace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christian Louboutin has only acquired
secondary meaning of the red-soled shoes in respect of shoes that are in stark
contrast with the red-soles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, Yves
Saint Laurent’s use of red-soles on red shoes is not problematic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As such, the Appeals Court has ordered that
Christian Louboutin’s trade-mark registration be amended to reflect this
limitation in the scope of protection, specifically:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span>“…to limit the registration of the Red Sole Mark to
only those situations in which the red lacquered outsole contrasts in color
with the adjoining “upper” of the shoe”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">It
will be interesting to see if this judgment has wider implications and serve as
a tool to competitors looking to limit a wide scope of brand protection secured
by heavy hitting industry players.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ashlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232101519101651534.post-23653855063414074712012-08-31T09:28:00.000-07:002012-08-31T09:28:14.116-07:00Australian Law Butts Out Branding<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is not altogether related to the fashion industry but it’s pretty darned interesting! And, let’s face it, here at <strong><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span></strong>, we can tie almost everything back to fashion!!!! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Australia recently enacted probably the toughest law against the tobacco industry (commonly being referred to as the ‘plain packaging law’), which was recently endorsed by Australia’s highest court. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Under this law, tobacco companies can only display the warning image depicting the perils of smoking on the tobacco packaging. We’ve become accustomed to these images on tobacco packaging in Canada (pictures of eroded and disease gums and haunting images of cancer-eroded lungs). What sets Australia’s new law apart is that these types of images are the only images allowed to be displayed on the packaging. No trade-marks. No logos. No branding. Just images of imminent death and decay. That’s pretty harsh. It definitely sends a message. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not surprisingly, tobacco companies in Australia were none too pleased about this and called into question whether the law was actually legal given that it devalued intellectual property rights. Australia’s judiciary chose health policy considerations over branding rights. The law will come into effect in December. This will prove to be an expensive re-packaging project for tobacco companies.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">International anti-smoking organizations are heralding this new law as progressive and necessary. In fact, anti-tobacco lobbying groups in Canada are looking to amend Canadian legislation to mirror Australia’s tough stance.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So let’s look at the bigger picture here. Oftentimes when laws are created, there is an underlying purpose – a policy. In some way, the government is trying to achieve a higher purpose. The legislation is simply the vehicle to this purpose. Take the Trade-marks Act. The overriding policy consideration is that the government wants to protect the consumer from confusion in the marketplace. Thus, there are checks and balances in the Trade-marks Act that protect the consumer above and beyond the brand owner. In the instance of Australia’s new law, there was a greater concern over public health than brand owners’ rights. Where will the line be drawn? Why is the tobacco industry targeted? Will we see these types of developments happen in other industries? The alcohol industry? Or the food industry? What about the fashion industry? What if there was an increasing concern over animal rights whereby leather products became the target of tougher legislation that trumped intellectual property rights. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We’ll keep you posted on developments to see if the Canadian lobbying groups get any traction.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>Ashlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232101519101651534.post-51427083474048005312012-08-21T12:02:00.003-07:002012-08-21T12:02:31.944-07:00French Connection Reaches out to Musicians<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We all know that fashion and music are inextricably linked. <strong><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span></strong> recently came across an interesting program offered by French Connection that helps Canadian musicians get noticed. It’s refreshing when a large well-known brand lends its platform to burgeoning artists. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Artist of the Month program features one Canadian artist per month in the tracks played in all stores across Canada. The album or single is featured at the cashier and consumers are able to obtain a free single. Occasionally, French Connection will host special events whereby the artists play live. However, this type of exposure is more limited to special events (i.e. Toronto hosting the Canadian Music Week).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It would be nice to see other large retailers reach out to Canada’s burgeoning artistic community.</span> </div>
Ashlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232101519101651534.post-87737918068395912202012-08-15T07:13:00.000-07:002012-08-15T07:13:24.958-07:00Designers: Get Your Hustle On!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">Here
at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span></b>, we geek out on
branding law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you know what really
gets our mojo going (other than Ryan Reynolds and Tyrese)?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Helping emerging designers get exposure!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that summer is coming to a close (sad
face), it’s time to get our hustle on again!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ever eager to help Canadian designers put themselves on the fashion map,
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span></b> has put together a
quick little guide to some opportunities geared towards helping designers at
different levels get exposure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<strong><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Toronto</span></i></st1:place></st1:city><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Fashion
Week</span></i></strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Arial;">North America</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial;">’s second biggest fashion show is back with some
panache as IMG gets its well-connected hands on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<a href="http://canadafashionlaw.blogspot.ca/2012/08/toronto-fashion-week-gets-little-botox.html" target="_blank">Click here</a> to read up on why Toronto Fashion
Week is getting a mani-pedi-botox).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Running from <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">October 22 to 26,
2012</b> at the <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">David Pecaut
Square</st1:address></st1:street>, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Canada</st1:country></st1:place>’s fashion darlings can share
the spotlight with the likes of Joe Fresh, Pink Tartan, Lucian Matis, Rudsak,
Vawk, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Designer submissions are now
being accepted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More information can be
requested from <a href="mailto:designers@fdcc.ca"><span style="color: blue;">designers@fdcc.ca</span></a>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Fashion's Night Out</strong></span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Debuting
in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Canada</st1:country> for the first
time, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Toronto</st1:city></st1:place>’s
retail stores will be open late into the night on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">September 6, 2012</b> as part of renowned international fashion event,
Fashion's Night Out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<a href="http://canadafashionlaw.blogspot.ca/2012/06/fashions-night-out-in-canada.html" target="_blank">Click here</a> and <a href="http://canadafashionlaw.blogspot.ca/2012/08/canada-gets-its-shop-on.html" target="_blank">here</a> to get a
better understanding of Fashion's Night Out).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As always, the Toronto Fashion Incubator is lending a hand to help more
junior designers get a piece of the action by opening up their doors to host an
accessories and apparel shopping soiree as part of Fashion's Night Out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re interested in participating, you
better drop a line as soon as possible to <a href="mailto:tfi@fashionincubator.com"><span style="color: blue;">tfi@fashionincubator.com</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Katwalk at Cube Nightclub</strong></span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Looking
to shake up your Tuesday?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tuesday</b> night during the summer, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Toronto</st1:city></st1:place>’s Cube nightclub
hosts a fashion event debuting the 2012 Fall/Winter collection of a number of
retailers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Examples include French
Connection and Dear Frankie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Toronto Fashion Incubator’s Press &
Buyers Breakfast</strong></span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Toronto
Fashion Incubator continues to impress us at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">October 2, 2012</b>, it hosts its annual
trade show geared towards connecting <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country>’s emerging designers with
the press and buyers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This event is a
great opportunity for new designers to get in front of key decision makers on a
one to one basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re interested in
getting more information, contact TFI directly at <a href="mailto:tfi@fashionincubator.com"><span style="color: blue;">tfi@fashionincubator.com</span></a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Fashion Thursdays at Locus 144</strong></span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Nestled
in the heart of <st1:city w:st="on">Toronto</st1:city>’s <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Liberty</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Village</st1:placetype></st1:place>
is Locus 144, a fantastic lounge that caters to those that have a passion for
hip hop and fashion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> (</span>A perfect
combination!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Locus 144 hosts fashion
events on Thursdays that are geared to helping designers get their feet wet by
hosting their own runway show. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well-versed in hosting a myriad of events, Locus
144’s amicable management team are eager to assist upcoming designers get
exposure in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Toronto</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re looking for information on hosting
an event, show or photo shoot at Locus 144, drop a line to <a href="mailto:info@locus144.com"><span style="color: blue;">info@locus144.com</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">If
you’re going to any of these events, there’s a pretty good chance we may bump
into each other!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drop us a line if you
are!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Fashionistas,
do you have your ear to the ground on other events happening in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Canada</st1:country></st1:place>
that will help designers get exposure? Let us know!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span></b> loves to hear from
you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
Ashlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232101519101651534.post-57829167280586386532012-08-14T11:24:00.001-07:002012-08-14T11:24:11.151-07:00Canada Gets Its Shop On!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few weeks ago, <strong><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span></strong> <a href="http://canadafashionlaw.blogspot.ca/2012/06/fashions-night-out-in-canada.html" target="_blank">broke the news</a> that shopping event extraordinaire Fashion's Night Out was launching in Canada. Almost instantly, the Toronto fashion community got very excited! (Ya, that's right: <a href="http://www.torontolife.com/daily/tag/ashlee-froese/" target="_blank">Toronto Life</a> cited <strong><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span></strong> as the source for the breaking news! If only there was a "brush your shoulder off" emoticon!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">It looks like it's not only Toronto that's going to get its "shop on' on September 6, 2012. Fashion's Night Out will be occurring throughout Canada in B.C., Ontario and Quebec. Happily, it's not just confined to Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, as some may presume. Smaller cities in Canada are also getting a piece of the after-hours shopping pie, such as Surrey, Chatham and Cookstown. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">If you want to get more information on which stores and malls are participating in Fashion's Night Out, hit up <a href="http://www.fashionsnightout.com/">www.fashionsnightout.com</a>. For the more Toronto-centric crowd, check out <a href="http://www.fno-toronto.com/">www.fno-toronto.com</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Happy shopping, y'all!</span></div>
Ashlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232101519101651534.post-87652653553692354722012-08-14T08:12:00.000-07:002012-08-14T08:12:11.001-07:00Sound Marks Just a Whisper in Canada<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span> </strong>just wanted to give you a head's up that Canada has its first registered sound mark! </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been a long road for Metro Goldwyn Meyer (<a href="http://canadafashionlaw.blogspot.ca/2012/03/canada-sounds-off.html" target="_blank">click here</a> to get the scoop) but they finally have protection of their roaring lion sound. Since the Canadian Trade-marks Office changed its practice to accept sound as a trade-mark, sound trade-mark applications have been slow to trickle in. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To date, only a few brand owners are looking to expand the brand protection pie: Mars Canada, Red Robin International, Toys 'R' Us, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Intel Corporation, Cisco Technology and Steam Whistle Brewing. There are no signs of fashion designers or retailers taking the plunge. Fashionistas, have any suggestions? </span></div>
Ashlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232101519101651534.post-50270375453539920982012-08-13T13:15:00.002-07:002012-08-13T13:15:34.855-07:00Toronto Fashion Week Gets A Little Botox<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The twitter-verse was set ablaze this week by the surprising news that Toronto Fashion Week has been sold. This is an interesting development for North America’s second largest fashion week (following New York) and goes beyond a mere change in sponsorship. Mastercard will continue as the title sponsor for the upcoming shows scheduled in October 2012.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until recently, Toronto’s Fashion Week has been run by the Fashion Design Council of Canada, with Robin Kay at the helm. Under the FDCC’s guidance, Toronto’s Fashion Week has fared well with attendance rising to 40,000 over a 5 day period. Now with IMG in the driver’s seat, it’s a safe bet that Toronto Fashion Week’s bi-annual events’ exposure will increase significantly.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simply put, as a global conglomerate IMG is an international leader in the sports, fashion and media industries. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Divided into a number of subdivisions, IMG specializes in licensing, generating media content and programming, running events, talent representation and brand identities. Of course, IMG’s Fashion division is of particular to interest to <strong><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span></strong>. Under this umbrella, IMG owns and operates a number of well-reputed fashion events around the world (think New York, Milan, Berlin, Tokyo, London, Miami, Russia, etc.), along with representing a number of models, photographers, stylists and fashion designers. This degree of specialization, coupled with IMG’s hyper-connectedness to the media is a good sign that Toronto’s Fashion Week is moving in the right direction to be a serious platform for designers on the international scene.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Never one to miss a Toronto fashion event, <strong><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span></strong> is looking forward to getting her industry pass for the new and improved Toronto Fashion Week. Hope to see you there on October 22 to October 26, 2012!</span> </div>
Ashlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232101519101651534.post-60283273594837509312012-07-04T14:08:00.001-07:002012-07-04T14:08:31.131-07:00Copy that!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Canadian copyright lawyers have been banging their head against the wall for a couple of years now and <strong><span style="color: red;">CanadaFashionLaw</span></strong> hopes that this little bit of news will alleviate their headache!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You see, for years now, Canada has been trying to give its <em>Copyright Act</em> a little nip and tuck. The <em>Copyright Act</em> was created in the 1920s and, as you can imagine, was a little out of touch with today's digital age reality. There have been many attempts at revising the Act but each attempt has failed due to election calls. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Finally, it looks like Bill C-11, otherwise known as the <em>Copyright Modernization Act</em>, is here to stay!!! The Bill has been passed by the Canadian government and given the Royal Assent.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The Bill looks to tackle technological issues that affect copyright owners and users, such as internet search providers, user generated content mash-ups and 'digital locks'. The Bill also looks to equalize photographers rights with those of other artists. Also, exceptions to infringement have been expanded to include parody, satire and education.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So what happens now? Well, as any fashionista knows, we may buy a shoe in the right size but we still have to work in it and iron out the kinks. The same can be said of legislative change. There will be a period of trial and error in applying the letter of the law to practical situations.</span></div>Ashlee Froesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05370230337330768701noreply@blogger.com