Australia’s High Court has ruled in favor of Sydney fashion designer Katie Taylor, affirming her legal right to sell clothing under the name “Katie Perry” and ending a trademark dispute that lasted nearly two decades with American pop star Katy Perry.
The landmark decision overturns a previous appeals court ruling that had ordered the cancellation of Taylor’s trademark. The High Court determined that Taylor’s use of the “Katie Perry” name for her fashion label does not breach trademark law, as it is unlikely to mislead consumers or create confusion in Australia.
Taylor launched her clothing brand, “Katie Perry,” in 2007. She received a cease-and-desist letter from Katy Perry’s legal team after opening her first showroom in 2009, following the pop star’s international fame from hits like “I Kissed a Girl” and “Hot N Cold.”
In 2019, Taylor sued Katy Perry for selling branded merchandise during concerts in Australia, arguing it infringed on her trademark. She won initially in Federal Court but lost on appeal, which had concluded that Katy Perry’s reputation in Australia was stronger at the time of Taylor’s trademark application.
The High Court’s ruling now restores Taylor’s trademark rights and sends the case back to the Full Federal Court to address issues raised by Katy Perry, including Taylor’s 10-year delay in filing her lawsuit.
Taylor described the outcome as “a dream,” saying: “Honestly, it kind of feels like a dream… I keep thinking, like, oh my god, has this actually happened?” She emphasized that the case was about protecting small businesses and their rights under trademark law. “So many people said to me, why don’t you just give up? It’s not worth it,” she added. “I really believe in standing up for your values. Truth and justice are part of my core and my values.”
