The Council of Fashion Designers of America is pushing legislation slated for introduction by Rep. Robert Goodlatte (R-Va.) that would allow fashion innovators to sue competitors who knock off their distinctive look (as distinct from passing off goods under a false trademark, which is already uncontroversially actionable). What next — copyright protection for novel hairstyles? Julian Sanchez at Reason “Hit and Run” comments (Mar. 30; Eric Wilson, “O.K., Knockoffs, This Is War”, New York Times, Mar. 30). See Feb. 27.
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- "Right and Left Join Forces on Criminal Justice"
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Perhaps someone should remind the fashion designers that copyrights last for 75 years (or more). I can’t wait for what’ll happen to the fashion industry 20 years from now when designers try that “retro” look.
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