Lipsy resolves counterfeit case

British fashion label Lipsy has reached an agreement and will settle a counterfeit case against online retailer WantThatDress.co.uk, which stands accused of selling false products bearing the brand's designs. Lipsy is set to receive a five-figure sum as compensation from the Worcester-based etailer, according to Drapers.

WantThatDress.co.uk took Lipsy's copyright-protected images, many of which showcased the label's brand ambassdor Michelle Keegan and used them to adverstise their copies of the brand's designs. The fashion etailer, which is operated by Egg Media UK, then sold these false designs at a lower price. Lipsy noted that the copied designs were offered as genuine items from the label and made to look like real products, but did not have the proper care tags and labels and were of "noticeably lower quality" than the original dresses.

"We take an extremely firm stance when it comes to protecting the Lipsy brand and our intellectual property," commented a brand protection officer from Lipsy to Drapers. "We will continue to bring to justice anyone taking part in counterfeiting Lipsy products and other infringing activities. These claims send a strong message to those who sell fake Lipsy goods that they will be brought to justice."

The British fashion label agreed not to begin legal court proceedings against Egg Media UK and its director Sonney Poole for infringing on Lipsy's design rights, copyright and trade marks in return for the compensation fee as well as a vow not to copy any of Lipsy's designs again. "As part of the ongoing Lipsy strategy of brand protection, we are also involved in taking action to shut down and obtain compensation from other counterfeiters of Lipsy products, including issuing proceedings against counterfeiters in the High Court," added Sarah Wright, partner at law firm Olswang who represented Lipsy.