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Katy Perry has lost a trademark battle with a Sydney-based fashion designer who was born with a differently spelled same name.

Katie Perry, now known as Katie Taylor, filed a lawsuit in 2019 alleging the US popstar ignored the trademark and sold clothing to fans during her concert tours in Australia via retailers and websites in 2014 and 2018.

The Roar singer‘s company, Kitty Purry, partially infringed the trademark of Taylor’s business, which mostly sells clothing online, by promoting products through social media posts, a judge ruled.

Damages are due to be decided at a later date.

Citing Perry’s hit Teenage Dream, federal court judge Brigitte Markovic said in her judgement: “This is a tale of two women, two teenage dreams and one name.”

Judge Markovic dismissed a bid by the singer to cancel the Katie Perry trademark.

The judgement was made public after court documents were released on Thursday.

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‘David and Goliath’ win for small businesses

Taylor hailed the verdict as a “David and Goliath” win for small businesses.

“Not only have I fought myself, but I fought for small businesses in this country, many of them started by women, who can find themselves up against overseas entities who have much more financial power than we do,” she wrote in a blog post.

The legal battle between the two women began in 2008, when Taylor registered the Katie Perry brand in Australia.

The singer initially tried to block the registration and later launched a legal bid to force the designer to cease and forever desist from using the trademark – but later abandoned the move, Taylor said.

She wrote on her blog: “When this all started back in 2009, I had been designing and manufacturing clothes in Australia under the name I was born with, Katie Perry, which I applied to register as a trade mark for my business – a logical next step. I had no knowledge of the singer at the time.

The star lost a trademark battle against an Australian fashion designer with the same name - but spelt differently Pic: AP
Image:
The star lost a trademark battle against an Australian fashion designer with the same name – but spelt differently Pic: AP

“Imagine my surprise when one of the reactions I received was a letter from lawyers representing the US singer, Katy Perry.

“They stated that I should immediately stop trading under this name, withdraw all my clothes and sign a document drafted by them to say that from then on I will never trade under this name ever again.

“A true case of David vs Goliath! I felt bullied, insulted and surprised.”

But Taylor vowed not to give in and instead “decided to fight against this injustice,” she wrote.

“I resisted an attack on me and the trademark.

“We established infringement and the cross claim was dismissed.”

The Roar singer, pictured in Los Angeles earlier this month, is due to perform at King Charles's Coronation Concert on 7 May Pic: AP
Image:
The Roar singer, pictured in Los Angeles earlier this month, is due to perform at King Charles’s Coronation Concert on 7 May Pic: AP

The mother-of-two said she has been “bullied and trolled” during the case, with her family and friends also suffering abuse.

Taylor added: “This is a win for small business.

“My two young children have witnessed the importance of standing up for their values, no matter how hard it is.”

Katy Perry’s representatives have been contacted for comment.

The singer previously defeated an appeal in a $2.8m copyright battle after she was accused of plagiarising part of a rap track for her 2013 hit, Dark Horse.

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Ed Sheeran arrives at court

A jury ruled in favour of rapper Flame, real name Marcus Gray, but a federal appeals court decided Perry and her team were not liable to pay the sum, worth about £2.1m, in March last year.

A copyright court case alleging Ed Sheeran ripped off Marvin Gaye’s iconic track, Let’s Get It On, in his song Thinking Out Loud, began in the US this week.

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Cara Delevingne reveals how Topshop inspired her fashion sense – as brand relaunches in London

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Cara Delevingne reveals how Topshop inspired her fashion sense - as brand relaunches in London

Fashion brand Topshop celebrated its relaunch with its first catwalk in seven years.

The company’s website promised everyone was invited as models strutted down a runway on Trafalgar Square in front of noughties fashion icons Cara Delevingne and Adwoa Aboah and the London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan.

The label has been operating on the online fashion platform ASOS after ceasing to operate as a standalone business in 2020.

Topshop held a catwalk in Trafalgar Square. Pic: PA
Image:
Topshop held a catwalk in Trafalgar Square. Pic: PA

A model on the catwalk
Image:
A model on the catwalk

Its previous owner, Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia group, collapsed into administration and all of Topshop’s physical stores – including the Oxford Circus flagship in London’s West End – closed soon after.

Delevingne told Sky News she was “totally blown away” by the relaunch event.

“It was like nostalgia mixed with something eclectic but also something brand new,” she said.

“For me, it really brings back a time of exploration of my own fashion sense because I think for me at Topshop I got to discover so much.”

The model, who is working on a capsule collection for next year, has already unveiled a choice edit in this year’s show and said her relationship with Topshop precedes her fame.

She said: “I would go in and my friends would be like ‘you would look good in that’ and I would go ‘no, that’s not really me’, and then you’d try it on and be like ‘oh maybe I can explore more’.

“They really have everything for everyone, and I feel like they brought that back.”

The runway showcased highlights from its Autumn-Winter 2025 collection, as well as an early preview of pieces set to drop later this season, including showstopper gowns, the classic white tee, and an aloe vera-coloured faux fur coat that surely should not have been on display – to prevent just about everyone rushing to buy it.

Topshop's relaunch was staged at Trafalgar Square
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Topshop’s relaunch was staged at Trafalgar Square

Models in front of the National Gallery in London's Trafalgar Square. Pic: PA
Image:
Models in front of the National Gallery in London’s Trafalgar Square. Pic: PA

Reclaiming the high street

But sharp tailoring and statement outerwear suggest the brand is ready to reclaim the high street.

Must-have denim pieces completed the womenswear line-up while the Topman collection screamed modern utility by blending refined formal wear with sharp new silhouettes.

Casual pieces are grounded by authentic denim in deep indigos, which stood out on Trafalgar Square’s magnificent stone steps.

Topshop’s relaunch comes as the high street continues to struggle and as the UK operation of Chinese fashion giant Shein announced pre-tax profits of £38.3m for the year, up some £14m from 2023.

‘Top end of the market’

Moses Rashid, global marketing director at Topshop/Topman said they are competing in a different space.

Topshop has been operating on the online fashion platform ASOS after ceasing to operate as a standalone business in 2020
Image:
Topshop has been operating on the online fashion platform ASOS after ceasing to operate as a standalone business in 2020

“We’re at the top end of the market. We’re about elevation. We pride ourselves on the quality of the product,” he said.

Those products are being designed in north London, and managing director Michelle Wilson said the aim is to stay that way.

“We are a British brand, we want to be a positive force for fashion. We want to bring London to the world. It’s fundamental to who we are as a brand, our style is very much London-driven.”

The majority Danish-owned company has suggested it will slow fashion down by opening physical stores where customers can touch the products, browse collections and try things on, though the flagship on Oxford Circus is unlikely to return because a Swedish fast furniture brand has since occupied the space.

Designer Wayne Hemingway has previously collaborated with Topshop and said the relaunch must be more than nostalgia.

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“They can’t rely on their old customers because their old customers have now got kids of their own to spend their money on, and they’ve got mortgages and all of those things of what being an adult means.

“They’ve got to have designers, marketeers, people who understand – who are on the pulse – who understood, number one, what was a success back then, and also a young generation of people who are there saying, ‘this is what our generation needs’, and who are bright and can help deliver that. They can’t rely on the past.”

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Comedian Milton Jones reveals he’s cancer free

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Comedian Milton Jones reveals he's cancer free

Comedian Milton Jones has revealed he is cancer free after being treated for prostate cancer.

In April, the 61-year-old, who is known for his appearances on Mock The Week, announced he was cancelling a number of UK tour dates to undergo surgery.

Jones said in a statement: “A few months ago, I had to stop my tour HA!MILTON because I needed treatment for prostate cancer. I’m glad to say I’ve had that treatment and am now cancer-free!

“So, many thanks to all the doctors and nurses who helped me get better – I couldn’t do their job (I tried, but apparently you have to be qualified).”

Thanking his family, friends and fans, he went on to joke: “I have to admit there were a few dark moments when I wondered if anyone would ever see me again, but then I realised that I was leaning against the light switch.

“Thankfully, I’m now in a completely different place, and if you look at my website, you’ll see that very soon I’ll be in lots of other different places on tour too”.

Jones picks up his tour on 15 September in Stafford, touring until the end of November 2025.

The show, whose name is a play on the title of the hit musical Hamilton, promises laughter and unforgettable comedy moments, as well as jokes about giraffes and tomatoes.

The Richmond-born comedian has been hailed as the king of the one-liner, basing his jokes on clever wordplay and surreal humour.

He has performed on Live At The Apollo, Lee Mack’s All Star Cast, and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow.

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Taylor Swift reveals release date for new album

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Taylor Swift reveals release date for new album

Taylor Swift has revealed the release date for her new album, The Life Of A Showgirl.

The pop megastar announced her 12th studio album earlier this week but didn’t give many details.

Now, in social media posts and an appearance on boyfriend Travis Kelce’s sports podcast, Swift revealed just what fans can expect from the new album.

Taylor Swift and boyfriend Travis Kelce on the New Heights podcast. Pic: New Heights
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Taylor Swift and boyfriend Travis Kelce on the New Heights podcast. Pic: New Heights

The Life of Showgirl, written during the European leg of her record-breaking Eras tour, will be released on 3 October.

It consists of 12 songs, including the title track that features pop star Sabrina Carpenter.

The full track list is:

1. The Fate Of Ophelia
2. Elizabeth Taylor
3. Opalite
4. Father Figure
5. Eldest Daughter
6. Ruin The Friendship
7. Actually Romantic
8. Wi$h Li$t
9. Wood
10. Cancelled!
11. Honey
12. The Life Of A Showgirl (featuring Sabrina Carpenter)

Long-time collaborators Max Martin and Shellback, two Swedish producers who worked with Swift on some of her biggest hits, joined the pop star for this album.

Within four hours of posting the full podcast episode on YouTube, it had already gathered 4.7m views.

The cover of Taylor Swift's newly announced album. Pic: Republic Records
Image:
The cover of Taylor Swift’s newly announced album. Pic: Republic Records

The back cover of Taylor Swift's 12th studio album The Life Of A Showgirl. Pic: 	Republic Records
Image:
The back cover of Taylor Swift’s 12th studio album The Life Of A Showgirl. Pic: Republic Records

‘The hardest-working star in pop’

The album follows last year’s The Tortured Poets Department, which was released during the Eras tour.

That tour, with shows on five continents and in 51 cities, raked in more than $2.2bn (£1.62bn) and was the highest-grossing tour of all time.

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“This album is about what was going on behind the scenes in my inner life during this tour, which was so exuberant and electric and vibrant,” Swift said during her podcast appearance.

Sky News culture and entertainment reporter Gemma Peplow said after her globe-trotting tour and a swathe of re-releases over recent years, the new album cemented Swift’s reputation “as the hardest-working star in pop”.

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