Fashion, Jewelry & Design
The New York metropolitan area is an international Mecca for Fashion, Jewelry & Design. Rather than wane in the new world economy with increasing competition from international trade, the fashion houses and garment district have flourished. But the legal and regulatory regime has become more complex, with ever-wider spheres of concern.
Attorneys specializing in Fashion, Jewelry and Design law need to cultivate a deep knowledge of intellectual property law - especially in the realms of copyright, design patents, trademark, trade regulation and world intellectual property policy. The problems of derivative work, brand warfare, and outright copying are becoming more rampant, faster and more sophisticated than ever. In today's climate, fashion houses and individual designers need a strong brand strategy, with trademark and copyright protection for both their identity and art work.
Because no designer is an island unto herself, competing rights from other actors in the fashion process, including manufacturers, distributors, model-makers, seamstresses, laborers, warehouses, end consumers and members of the public, also have to be carefully understood and defined in strong, yet flexible contractual policies, including website terms and conditions. Concerns for product liability also factor heavily in jewelry and fashion design and distribution.
Fashion houses and designers set world trends and heavily influence global cultures and attitudes. With this special power comes special responsibility. Humane designers and fashion houses understand that responsibility, and strive to earn public trust by exceeding expectations in the spheres of environmental responsibility, human rights and fair labor policies. Good corporate citizenry is a legal and brand equity concern, but it is more than that. It is the right thing to do. But it requires specialized and wide-ranging legal expertise to execute.
The attorneys at Beckman, Burns & Nguyen counsel fashion and jewelry industry clients, and maintain a convenient, Manhattan office for that purpose. For more information concerning how the firm can help, contact us at info@bbnlaw.com, or explore the additional informational links below.