03/12/2026
David. Goliath. A Sydney fashion designer named Katie Perry.
In 2007, Katie Perry (now Katie Taylor) launched her Australian clothing label, built from scratch. Two years later, she opened her first showroom… and found a cease and desist letter waiting for her. From that Katy Perry.
What followed was an almost 17-year trademark battle that went all the way to Australia’s highest court. And this week? The designer won.
The High Court ruled 3-2 that her “Katie Perry” trademark was valid, that it wasn’t likely to cause consumer confusion, and that the pop star’s label and merchandise distributor had actually been “assiduous infringers” of her trademark.
Her response? “Trademarks are there to protect small businesses, not just large brands.”
This is exactly why trademark registration matters and why protecting your IP early is one of the most important things a small business owner can do.
Your name, your brand, your legacy. Protect it.
Source:The Guardian