Katy Perry Wins Trademark Dispute Against Designer Katie Perry
Pop superstar Katy Perry has won a significant trademark appeal, overturning a previous decision that ruled in favor of Australian designer Katie Perry. The legal dispute centered around the use of the name “Katy Perry,” which both women had used in connection with their businesses, with Katie Perry using her birth name, while the singer had been known worldwide under the same name for her music career.
On Friday, three appeals judges sided with the pop icon, ruling that she had been using her name as a trademark five years before Katie Taylor (the designer behind Katie Perry) began her business. The court emphasized that by the time Taylor started selling her clothing under the name Katie Perry, Katy Perry had already gained significant international recognition, particularly in entertainment.
The judges also took the rare step of canceling Taylor’s trademark registration, a move that marks a crucial victory for Katy Perry. The decision comes after a lengthy legal battle that began over merchandise sold by Katy Perry during her 2014 Australian tour.
Katie Taylor, who had previously likened the case to a “David and Goliath” struggle, expressed her devastation following the ruling. In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, she acknowledged the disappointing outcome but also reflected on her efforts to establish her own brand.
The appeals judges recognized the emotional and professional investments made by both women in building their businesses, despite being unaware of each other’s existence when they first filed for trademarks. “Both women put blood, sweat and tears into developing their businesses,” the judges noted. They further explained that as Katy Perry’s fame grew internationally, Katie Taylor became aware of the singer’s use of the name and subsequently filed her own trademark application.
The judge who ruled in favor of Taylor last year had drawn an interesting parallel in her decision, referencing one of Katy Perry’s biggest hits, Teenage Dream, saying, “This is a tale of two women, two teenage dreams and one name.”
The ruling arrives just in time for Katy Perry, who is preparing for her Lifetimes world tour in early 2025 to support her highly anticipated comeback album, 143.
