Fashion Law Network

This episode is all about the recent changes at the Chanel fashion house, namely, the parting ways of artistic director, Virginie Viard with the Chanel fashion house. I discuss employment law, private vs. public company rules/regulations in both the United States and France as they relate to the Chanel fashion house and then provide a history of Chanel at the end of the episode. Enjoy and thank you for listening!

This is a special episode featuring author, Alexandra Lange, who wrote one of my favorite books, Meet Me by the Fountain all about the inside history of shopping malls. We discuss our favorite mall architecture, current state of malls, future trends and much more! Enjoy and thank you for listening!

This episode is all about the recent news of various luxury fashion houses reporting a major sales slump- is the "luxury party" over? I begin this episode with various fashion houses sales news with a focus on the largest luxury conglomerate, LVMH. Then I provide an in-depth legal discussion and analysis on three lawsuits that Gucci filed last week against Century 21, Lord&Taylor and Sam's Club. Enjoy and thank you for listening! Episode Notes: 1.Forbes Article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/pamdanziger/2023/07/29/luxury-leaders-sales-drop-in-us-as--aspirational-consumers-put-new-purchases-on-hold/?sh=a7fbc8e415c3 1. ⁠Gucci America, Inc. v. LORD & TAYLOR ECOMM LLC⁠, 1:23-cv-10239 (SDNY) 2. ⁠Gucci America, Inc. v. Sam’s West, Inc., et al.⁠, 1:23-cv-10246 (SDNY) 3.  ⁠Gucci America, Inc. v. Century 21 USA LLC, et al.⁠, 1:23-cv-10247 (SDNY). 

This is a special episode of the podcast series with a featured fashion guest, James Keith. James it the owner of the luxury accessories line, Keith James. His line rose to fame from his signature "red bottom" hats/fedoras for men and women and has now expanded into various other accessories. On this episode we discuss the concept of quiet luxury, trade dress trademark protection, James' fashion line, new book and much more. Enjoy and thank you for listening! Episode Notes: 1. www.keithjames.com 2. Rich Mindset Book link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CL3L1FS7/ref=x_gr_bb_amazon?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_bb_amazon-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0CL3L1FS7&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

I am back with the first episode of Season 6! I begin this episode with some background history of the Chanel fashion house  then discuss general patent law and analyze a few interesting recent patent and trademarks which are owned by Chanel. In the second half of the  episode I discuss and analyze the many lawsuit filings Chanel has been busy with over the summer and at the end of episode I provides a few updates in the ongoing Chanel v. The RealReal lawsuit. Enjoy and thank you for listening! Episode Notes:  1. Chanel, Inc. v. The RealReal 1:18-cv-10626 (S.D.N.Y.) 2. Chanel, Inc. v. Villo & Co., LLC, et al., 1:23-cv-06781 (S.D.N.Y.) 3. Chanel, Inc. v. The Good Fastener LLC et al., 2:2023-vc-06264 (S.D. N.Y.)

This episode is all about the world of beauty pageants with a legal spin. This episode features a very special guest, Caitlin Machol, a former Miss USA contestant and Miss Wisconsin titleholder. I begin the episode by providing some background information on the famous, Miss USA, Miss Universe and Miss America pageants, then I discuss and analyze a few lawsuits the organizations have been involved with. Finally, Caitlin provides lots of inside beauty pageant information such as the various fashion rules the contestants must adhere to, her story in competing in the Miss USA pageant, meeting Donald Trump and much more! Thank you for listening and enjoy! Episode Notes: 1. Miss Universe, LLP v. Miss Nude Southern USA 2. Miss Universe, LLP v. Diamonds International Corp. 3. Book: There She Was: The Secret History of Miss America by Amy Argetsinger 4. Book: Being Miss America: Behind the Rhinestone Curtain by Kate Shindle

This episode is all about the luxury multi-designer retail store, Intermix and their recent store closings. I begin the episode with a brief history of the Intermix company which begins in 1993, then I discuss the change in owners of the Intermix company including the acquisition by a private equity firm and a discussion of private equity firms and takeover implications. At the end of the episode, I provide my legal analysis and discussion of a recent lawsuit filed against the Intermix company. Enjoy and thank you for listening! Episode Notes: 1. Bal Harbour Shops, LLC v. Intermix Holdco, Inc. 2. Private Equity Article : Record numbers of UK firms are being swallowed by private equity – should we be worried? (theconversation.com)

This episode is all about trademark parodies in the context of fashion law. I begin this episode with a brief background of trademark law and the parody defense, next I discuss a few intellectual property parody lawsuits involving Louis Vuitton (Louis Vuitton v. Haute Diggity Dog , Louis Vuitton v. My Other Bag , Louis Vuitton v. MGA Entertainment ). I conclude the episode by providing my legal analysis of the recent trademark parody lawsuit which made it all the way to the Supreme Court involving Jack Daniel's and a dog toy company. Enjoy and thank you for listening! Episode Notes: 1. Louis Vuitton Malletier, S.A. v. Haute Diggity Dog, LLC, 507 F.3d 252  2. Louis Vuitton Malletier, S.A. v. My Other Bag, Inc., 1:2014-cv-03419 3. MGA Entertainment Inc. v. Louis Vuitton Malletier, S.A., 2:18-cv-10758  4. Jack Daniel’s Properties, Inc. v. VIP Products LLC, 22-148

The RealReal lit the fuse in the secondhand luxury market sector but is the fire dying down now? On this episode I discuss the current state of the secondhand luxury market including a brief background of  unique The RealReal business model and provide my legal analysis and discussion of an interesting securities lawsuit that The RealReal was recently embroiled with. Thank you listening, enjoy!  Episode Notes:  1. Sanders v. RealReal Inc., 5:19-cv-07737 (N.D. Cal.)

This episode is all about the recent mergers and acquisitions in the luxury fashion space, namely, the Farfetch company and their acquisition of the Yoox-Net-a-Porter Group (YNAP). On this episode, I discuss the history and brief biography of the owner and founder of the Farfetch company and their business model along with other notable, recent luxury fashion house acquisitions. Finally, I discuss and analyze a recent trademark infringement lawsuit which Farfetch was embroiled in.  Don't forget to sign up for the Fashion Law Network meet n' greet event on March 23, 2023! Enjoy and thank you for listening! Episode Notes: 1.  EventBrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fashion-law-network-podcast-meetup-tickets-515122002777 Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/fashion-law-network/events/290921859/?isFirstPublish=true March 23rd @ 5:00-8:00PM 100 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1800 2. AirWair International Ltd. v. Yoox Net-A-Porter Group S.P.A. (3:18-cv-06051) District Court, N.D. California

This is a special episode featuring Mr. Andrei Iancu, the former director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). We begin our discussion with a background and interesting details about the USPTO, the launch of the Council For Innovation Promotion and the value of patents. Then we discuss the recent controversial anti-patent remarks made by Elon Musk and the landmark Supreme Court case bearing my guest's name, Iancu v. Brunetti, which was decided during Mr. Iancu's time at the USPTO. Enjoy and thank you for listening!  Episode Notes:  1. Council for Innovation Promotion: www.C4IP.org 2. Iancu v. Brunetti, 139 S. Ct. 2294 (2019)  The Fashion Law Network podcast and statements made are for entertainment purposes only and are not legal advice. If you would like legal advice or a legal consultation you may contact me directly at kasia@caldwellip.com. 

This episode is all about the Dolce & Gabbana fashion house. I begin with a brief history of the brand and then discuss patent and trademark law in relation to Dolce & Gabbana. I end the episode with my legal analysis and discussion of a trademark infringement situation involving Dolce & Gabbana versus a store called Dolce & Banana! Enjoy and thank you for listening.  The Fashion Law Network podcast and statements made are for entertainment purposes only and are not legal advice. If you would like legal advice or a legal consultation you may contact me directly at kasia@caldwellip.com. 

How is luxury department store Neiman Marcus thriving when most department stores are struggling at unprecedented levels? I answer this question and much more on this episode. I also provide my legal analysis, discussion and update on the Neiman Marcus legal battle with (now closed) hedge fund Marble Ridge Capital. Episode Notes: 1. Marble Ridge Capital LP v. Neiman Marcus Group Inc., et al, DC-18-18371 (116TH Judicial Circuit (Dallas)) 2. Neiman Marcus Group Inc., v. Simon Property Group Inc.

This episode is all about the world of luxury fragrances with a focus on the famous Chanel No. 5 perfume. I begin with a brief history of the Chanel No. 5 perfume then discuss various forms of legal protection for fragrances and end the episode with a legal analysis of a recent lawsuit centering on the Chanel No. 5 perfume.  Episode Notes:  1. Chanel v. Love Story No. 9  2. Civil Judgment No. 319 [2021], Final, Civil, Shaanxi of the High People's Court of Shaanxi Province. The ruling is accessible here, in Chinese, retrieved from China Judgments Online

This episode is all about the Balenciaga fashion house. I begin with a brief history of the fashion house, followed by a discussion of patent and trademark law in relation to Balenciaga and finally, I provide my legal analysis of two recent, interesting intellectual property-based lawsuits that the fashion house has been involved with. The first lawsuit I analyze is City Merchandise Inc., v. Balenciaga where a New York City souvenir company sued Balenciaga for copyright infringement for the design on their tote bags and the second lawsuit I discuss is CarFreshner Corp., v. Balenciaga where a car freshener company sued Balenciaga for trademark infringement among a few other claims. Episode Notes:  1. City Merchandise Inc., v. Balenciaga,1:18-cv-06748 (SDNY) 2. CarFreshner Corp., v. Balenciaga, 1:18-cv-09629 (SDNY)

This episode is all about the luxury fashion house of Christian Louboutin. I begin with some brief history of the Louboutin fashion house, then discuss patents and trademarks in relation to Louboutin. Finally, I discuss and provide a legal analysis of the landmark lawsuit over the red soled stilettos initiated by Christian Louboutin against Yves Saint Laurent. Enjoy and thank you for listening! The Fashion Law Network podcast and statements made are for entertainment purposes only and are not legal advice. If you would like legal advice or a legal consultation you may contact me directly at kasia@caldwellip.com. Episode Notes: 1. Christian Louboutin S.A. v. Yves Saint Laurent America, Inc., 778 F. Supp. 2d 445, 451 (S.D.N.Y. 2011)

This episode is all about the luxury jewelry house of Cartier. I begin with some brief history of the Cartier fashion house, then discuss trademark and trade dress law in relation to Cartier. Finally, I discuss and provide a legal analysis of the new lawsuit initiated by Cartier and Amazon against various influencers attempting to sell allegedly counterfeit Cartier jewelry. Enjoy and thank you for listening!  The Fashion Law Network podcast and statements made are for entertainment purposes only and are not legal advice. If you would like legal advice or a legal consultation you may contact me directly at kasia@caldwellip.com.  Episode Notes:  1. Cartier and Amazon.com Inc v. PHMN9Y3V, et al, 2:22-cv-00840 (W.D. Wash.)  2.  Cartier and Amazon.com Inc v. Yfxf, et al, :22-cv-00841 (W.D. Wash.)

This episode is all about the Balmain fashion house. I begin with some recent Balmain news and then provide a brief history of the fashion house. Next, I discuss and analyze a few interesting patents and trademarks owned by Balmain. Finally, I provide my legal analysis of two intellectual property lawsuits that Balmain has been embroiled in. Enjoy and thank you for listening!

This episode is all about the post pandemic luxury sales boom many stores are currently experiencing, with a focus on famed American department store, Saks Fifth Avenue. Enjoy and thank you for listening.  Episode notes: 1. Giordano v. Saks Inc., 1:20-cv-00833, (E.D.N.Y.) 2. Beauty Holdings LLC, d/b/a The Salon Project By Joel Warren v. Saks & Company LLC et al

This episode is all about the Missoni fashion house. I begin with some brief history of Missoni, then I discuss the concept of patent inventorship and analyze some interesting patents and trademarks that Missoni owns. Finally, I provide my legal analysis of a situation where a non-inventor filed and obtained a design patent for a very popular it bag, a cautionary tale of sitting on your intellectual property rights! Episode Notes:  1. American Bar Association article "Employee Inventors and Patent Ownership: Whose Rights Are They Anyway?"  2. Trovan, Ltd. v. Sokymat SA, 299 F.3d 1292, 1302 (Fed. Cir. 2002)