The result of the lawsuit between Katy Perry and designer Katie Perry was surprising

Pop star Katy Perry has triumphed in a trademark dispute against Australian fashion designer Katie Taylor, who markets her clothing under the brand name Katie Perry.

A panel of three judges overturned a 2023 ruling that initially sided with Taylor. The court concluded that Katy Perry (born Katheryn Hudson) had used her stage name as a trademark for merchandise for at least five years before Taylor launched her clothing business. Furthermore, Perry’s established “international reputation in music and entertainment” supported her claim to continue using her name in Australia.

As part of the ruling, the court also cancelled Taylor’s trademark registration, emphasizing that Perry had already offered both parties a shared trademark agreement back in 2009, which Taylor rejected.

“This case reflects an unfortunate situation where two entrepreneurial women, unaware of each other, adopted the same name as their trademark,” the judges noted. They highlighted that Taylor’s actions, at times, seemed to create an association with Perry, potentially causing consumer confusion.

Despite this, the judges found minimal evidence of actual confusion. The decision ultimately nullified Taylor’s rights to her trademark, with the panel concluding, “In this case, Taylor has brought this result upon herself.”

Taylor, disappointed by the ruling, expressed her dismay to The Guardian, stating, “This case proves a trademark isn’t worth its paper.” She lamented the loss of her brand, which she had worked on since 2006, saying, “I have lost everything, including my trademark. My dream has been shattered.”

The case underscores the complexities of trademark disputes, especially when global celebrities and smaller businesses inadvertently collide. Katy Perry’s victory highlights the importance of established reputation and prior use in resolving such conflicts.