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May 19, 2009 in Fashion

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Hey guys,

Below is a petition that you might consider signing. This is from my friend Sara who is a seamstress extrodinare (she made my wedding dress!) The petition is to prevent design registration in the apparel industry. Passing a law to require apparel and accessories designers to register each design would put nearly 90% of all design based businesses out of business. This effects us all.

There has never been any laws in the apparel and accessories design sector to protect intellectual property when it comes to design. This is good for most of us: we can be inspired by trends and styles worldwide and put our own twist on them without worrying about lawsuits. As long as we don't try to pass off our work as the work of others for profit, we can go about our business. Logos and other graphics are easy to register because they have been created as a branding device to differentiate. In the apparel design field there is absolutely no way to protect your design, but there is also no way to stop you from designing whatever you want. Brand recognition and protection is one thing when fake goods are counterfeit and represented as the actual product (ie Coach, Prada, Chanel etc counterfeit bags and sunglasses that you see everywhere). We're not talking about counterfeit.

Let's put it this way: the first person to make sweatpants would be the only one allowed to make sweatpants from here on out.

The first person to make a t-shirt would be the only one allowed to make them forever.

Only the biggest design corporations would be in business. Small businesses would not be able to compete with all that money for registering designs, nor would it be feasable to offer support to any designs that may be lifted. My business would be done. "Made in the USA" would become nonexistent. So would the majority of designers on Etsy.com. Andrea, sucks for you too.

This effects every single one of us. Please pass this link on and please consider signing this petition. For more information visit: www.fashion-incubator.com

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/hr2196/

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Comments (26)

I signed it. How many do they need?I really hope this passes, it sounds horrible. Thanks for getting the word out there =] Report Spam Posted by dreapuff at 10:35 PM on 05/19/09
You know they have design patents now, but they are rarely used because all you have to do is change one stitch and its considered a different garment. I make my own patterns, but I would certainly oppose any legislation on this matter. Petition signed. Report Spam Posted by upcfashiondotcom (upcfashion.com) at 12:35 PM on 05/20/09
I really really want to sign it... but I can't since I live in Ecuador. I'm going to send this to all my kaboodle friends anyway. Fashion is all about evolution, and one good idea can turn into an even greater one when many stylish people get involved... not only the person who thought about it first. Report Spam Posted by gabyee at 2:11 PM on 05/20/09
btw thanks for letting us all know :) Report Spam Posted by gabyee at 2:11 PM on 05/20/09
Cool!! Thanks for letting us know about this!! I'll signed it!! Report Spam Posted by giggleface105 at 3:09 PM on 05/20/09
thnx so much for posting this! Fashion is supposed to be our interpretation of art (AKA "designer" collections) it should remain that way! Report Spam Posted by abbylessthan3 at 3:32 PM on 05/20/09
This is very interesting, the first time I've heard of it. I'm going to have to do some research before signing this though. :) Report Spam Posted by triplyksis at 5:01 PM on 05/20/09
If that is what it means that only the person with the original design could like you say produce tshirts or jeans for example then it might not be such a good idea. I'd like to read it and see what it says for sure. Like the needlework industry and others and designs that are copyrighted when they are protected against being copied and sold but a design that can be changed and there is no law against that doesnt' require a lot of change altho i haven't seen many that seem to be done over but they are protected hopefully from that sort of thing for the same reason that business being what it is that the original designs are protected from others who would take there designs to sell without coming up with there own original designs. Report Spam Posted by meveland990 at 5:41 AM on 05/21/09
I read the legislation and it says that previous designs, done before the legislation was enacted would be public domain, and any "patents" isssued would be viable for 3 years. The part I really don't like is the fine for "copying" is the larger of $250,000 or $5 per offense/item. and honestly I really think this is a fluff piece of legislation, like how do they plan on monitoring and enforcing it?? I'm glad you posted this. Report Spam Posted by upcfashiondotcom (upcfashion.com) at 5:50 AM on 05/21/09
like what she says under the blog heading about being pretty or beautiful. it's similar to what my mother taught me as a child....it means much the same thing..in a way.. Report Spam Posted by meveland990 at 5:59 AM on 05/21/09
oh .this might affect me if i want to be a fashion designer! i`ll check it out! Report Spam Posted by danni6 at 9:55 AM on 05/21/09
i have ask my mom first ..that sounds dumb but really ill try to sign it .... Report Spam Posted by alysiawho at 1:43 PM on 05/21/09
wow, ive never even heard of that! that is really something! Report Spam Posted by zippers at 1:46 PM on 05/21/09
Here is an interesting article on what could work for the legislation:http://www.slate.com/id/2218281/ Report Spam Posted by elenalee at 3:32 PM on 05/21/09
I signed it! Report Spam Posted by greenkisses41 at 3:39 PM on 05/21/09
Signed it-- that's bogus! Report Spam Posted by bellitude at 7:43 PM on 05/21/09
they are trying to do something like this in radio also, looks like the big corporations are trying to push out the small competition on the sly, I will sign Report Spam Posted by levelle at 9:03 PM on 05/21/09
this is so cute Report Spam Posted by cassidybrown at 4:14 AM on 05/22/09
Thank you all for if not signing it, then passing it along! I understand that companies deserve to make money, but individual creativity is what makes fashion fun. With so much going on in our nation, the last thing we need to do is make legislation about who can make what. Report Spam Posted by spiraldancer at 12:10 PM on 05/22/09
cute!! :) Report Spam Posted by horselv917 at 2:06 PM on 05/22/09
Done! Hope it helps! Report Spam Posted by beading_dreams at 12:22 AM on 05/25/09
*shudders* I gag at the thought of EVERYONE wearing basically the same thing. How horribly boring and like everyone has been brainwashed to dress the same! I signed this! Thank you for letting us know! Report Spam Posted by crinaeae at 7:03 AM on 05/25/09
Hmm...this seems hard to believe and impossible to enforce... Report Spam Posted by newsgirl057 at 11:43 AM on 05/26/09
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-2196 Report Spam Posted by newsgirl057 at 11:46 AM on 05/26/09
Totally agree with you....I signed. Report Spam Posted by paws72 at 9:09 PM on 06/07/09
signed. Report Spam Posted by minisart at 11:38 AM on 06/10/09