The Label Law

And on our final stop, The Label Law Talks, hosted by Grace Obi-Azuike looks at Fashion Law from both an academic and practice standpoint. 

Hillary Kane, professor at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, California, pioneered what is now the university’s full course in Fashion Law. Her class breaks down fundamentals, such as trademarking and gives students a unique advantage in gaining the skills necessary to be a fashion attorney. 

John Begakis, once an extern of Hilary’s is a Southwestern Law graduate who now teaches Fashion Law at the law school. Outside of Southwestern, his firm, AltView Law Group, represents entrepreneurs and creatives in different media areas including music, technology, business and entertainment. 

In this episode, Grace Obi-Azuike discuss Southwestern Law’s unique Fashion Law Course, as well as how US fashion legislation has progressed over the years. Read their guest profile below and listen in to our conversation. 

by Grace Obi-Azuike

Canada may not be on everyone's brain when they think of the Fashion Industry, but Alessia Monastero proves otherwise. From her presentations on her website to her fashion law instagram, Alessia discusses the importance of fashion protection and how relevant it is. Practicing in Toronto, Canada, Alessia is our second stop on The Label Law Talks: Around the World in 21 days and she adds her unique perspective as an intellectual property and branding lawyer. 

Alessia drops so much knowledge on fashion protection in Canada and details her work in the industry along with her contributions to Fashion Law literature. This episode is packed with information and who knows, there may be a part two. 

Check out Alessia’s presentation on her website, along with her fashion law instagram account that reports on relevant fashion law issues. 
https://www.alessiamonastero.com/home_1

by Grace Obi-Azuike

Europe is known as the fashion headquarters of the globe. So, it would only make sense to start our tour in the United Kingdom.

This week, Grace Obi-Azuike sits down with Patent Paralegal Ore Adeyinka and Intellectual Property Attorney Rosie Burbidge.  Although Ore does not identify herself as a fashion paralegal, patent law is a very important aspect of Fashion Law. Ore provides her insight on her experience not only in the United Kingdom but across Europe.

My second guest, Rosie Burbidge, is not only an Intellectual Property lawyer with extensive knowledge in the fashion industry. She is also the author of European Fashion Law: A Practical Guide from Start-up to Global Success. In this book, she drops gems on how new and old fashion businesses can start and maintain a successful brand in a legal and profitable way. 

In other words, she literally wrote the book on our discussion. 

In this episode, we go in depth on intellectual property protection in the U.K. and how it intersects with the fashion industry. Rosie even gives some background on her training, including her involvement in a very famous Fashion Law case: L’Oréal SA v. eBay International AG. 

If you’re interested in purchasing Rosie’s book, she’s giving a 50% discount to everyone who signs up for her mailing list. 

50%. DON’T miss this deal. 

by Grace Obi-Azuike

With articles covering  Zendaya’s iconic Essence photoshoot to discussing sustainability, Raze Magazine’s tag line “Demolish constructs. Awaken creativity” describes the fashion, arts and culture magazine perfectly. 

One of the reasons Grace Obi-Azuike created The Label Law was the fact that in the United States, fashion law is not protected to the same extent that it is globally. This week, I sit down with Raze Magazine’s Editor, Tanasia Walker, and Fashion Editor, Abby Oldroyd. We both share the background of our platforms and compare fashion law in England as opposed to the United States. 
You can check this episode out on their podcast as well as watch our video on www.thelabellaw.com. Read their profile and listen in as The Label Law Talks goes global, again. 

by Grace Obi-Azuike

Lets face it, without seeing an article of clothing worn on an actual person, the chance of buying said article of clothing is extremely low. From the OGs like Iman and Kate Moss to new age models like Bella Hadid and Adut Akech, models hold a very important, and necessary, place in the fashion industry.  Although their life is full of glitz and glamour, traveling all across the world dressed in the most expensive pieces, at the end of the day, they are employees. And just like an employee at a Fortune 500 company, models have rights and protection that save them from exploitation and different issues that the fashion industry face working with models. 

Although this is only part 1, we will be taking a look at a few key issues including their protection under New York state law, proposed federal legislation and model releases. More recently,  U.S legislation has taken a stance toward appreciating and protecting the fashion industry- fashion models included. 

by Grace Obi-Azuike

Nike doesn’t play when it comes to their work and was quick to file a complaint stating Warren Lotas was never given permission or authorization for this reinterpretation. Making it a fake. Pretty harsh. Although the case has now been settled outside of court, this week we’re picking a part this case. Piece by piece.

Don't forget to checkout www.thelabellaw.com for articles on each episode and extra surprises!

by Grace Obi-Azuike

From her bold statements on twitter to her distinct tattoos, Arianna Davis takes no shit. She also doesn't take shit when it comes to the quality of the bodysuits for her clothing line, Stript. Accentuating every curve and smoothing out every line and wrinkle, Arianna traveled across the country from her hometown in Washington D.C. to fabric stores in Los Angeles, California to ensure she got the best fabric and the best cut to flatter every body size. All while balancing life as an attorney.

This week, The Label Law Talks hosted by Grace Obi-Azuike, sits down with Arianna Davis on the creation of her clothing brand Stript, her process and how fashion law played a part along the way. Read her profile  on www.thelabellaw.com and listen to our discussion. 

by Grace Obi-Azuike

I’ve mentioned trade dress in a couple of episodes but we’re finally getting a clear definition. Copyrights aren’t easily obtainable and because of this, designers use trade dress as a way around it. Trade dress is still difficult to obtain as well due to the fact you must establish secondary meaning. 

In this episode, we define trade dress, go into how its established and discuss a few cases mentioning trade dress in the fashion industry. 
 
Don't forget to checkout www.thelabellaw.com for articles on each episode and extra surprises!

by Grace Obi-Azuike

Color marking is arguably the hardest trademark filing to obtain due to establishing secondary meaning (more on that in a future episode). This week, we take a look at color marking in the fashion industry. Is it allowed and if it is, just how easy is it to obtain this form of protection? 

Don't forget to checkout www.thelabellaw.com for articles on each episode and extra surprises!

by Grace Obi-Azuike

When you log onto www.blackspadeclothing.co.uk, Black Spade’s tag line immediately pops up. 

“Life is a Gamble.”

The London brand sets itself apart from other emerging clothing brands by providing high quality and sustainable T-shirts and matching sweat suits, or joggers as they call it in the U.K. Harold Ejele, one of Black Spade’s founders, and I are friends from way back and this week we sit down and discuss his brand as well as compare fashion law in the U.K. versus in the United States. Read up on Black Spade’s profile on www.thelabelaw.com under The Label Law Talks tab and listen to our conversation. 

by Grace Obi-Azuike