Fashion

and

Textile.

Fashion and textile industry

The fashion and textile industry is one of the most dynamic and important industries in the world. It encompasses the production of textiles, clothing and accessories as well as their marketing and distribution. On the one hand, the industry is characterized by ever shorter product cycles, rapidly changing trends and high innovation and cost pressure. In the luxury segment, the pressure is on to meet high quality standards, to defend oneself against imitators and free riders and to build and maintain one’s own image both online and offline in order to assert oneself on the market. The value chain in the fashion and textile industry ranges from the production of raw materials and textile finishing to the production of fashion items and other textile goods as well as their distribution and marketing offline and online.

The fashion and textile industry is globalized and increasingly digitalized. Many companies are relocating parts of their production to countries with lower labor costs, while distribution is increasingly taking place worldwide via digital channels. This internationality also requires an approach to legal advice that goes beyond national law and considers international and cross-border issues.
Sustainability and environmental awareness are also becoming increasingly important in the industry. Consumers are placing increasing value on sustainable production processes, fair working conditions and transparent supply chains. This presents companies with new challenges, both in terms of compliance with environmental standards and the legal framework.

IP and IT law in the fashion and textile industry

The textile and fashion industry is characterized by innovation, creativity and rapidly changing trends. Companies in this industry face particular challenges when it comes to protecting their designs, trademarks and technologies. At the same time, digital business models, online trade and data protection are playing an increasingly important role. Sound legal advice in intellectual property and IT law is therefore essential to protect against counterfeiting, product piracy and unfair competition and to minimize legal risks in the digital sector.

Depending on the business model and orientation of the company, different areas of law can become relevant in the field of IP and IT law.

Trademarks in fashion

Building a strong trademark is crucial for fashion companies in today’s market in order to stand out from the competition, be and remain relevant on social media and the internet and thus promote customer loyalty. It is no longer just word and figurative marks that play an important role, but also other forms of branding in order to protect themselves legally and safeguard their own assets.

We support companies in the textile and clothing industry worldwide in the registration, administration and monitoring of trademarks and carry out similarity searches in advance. On behalf of our clients, we effectively enforce trademark rights against infringers or defend trademark claims against our clients. In the fight against product piracy, we work together with the customs authorities to intercept illegal counterfeits at the border and prevent them from entering the market in the first place.

Designs and copyrights in the textile sector

Design law protects the external design of products. In the fashion industry, these are primarily items of clothing, models and accessories. With a registered design right, imitations can be prevented. In the fast-moving fashion industry, the unregistered Community design also offers an opportunity to take action against identical copies of one’s own designs, even without a registered design.

If the designs are particularly creative, they can also be protected by copyright. This is most likely to be the case with design classics that have a corresponding level of creativity. The main advantage over design and registered design law is the longer term of protection.

We support companies worldwide in the registration, administration and monitoring of designs and registered designs and carry out preliminary searches for novelty and individual character. We effectively enforce copyrights and design rights against infringers or defend design or copyright claims against our clients. In the fight against product piracy, we work together with the customs authorities to intercept counterfeits at the EU’s external borders.