In the latest update of fashion lawsuit fiascos, Versace and Fashion Nova have finally settled their copyright and trademark infringement lawsuit, just before heading to trial on July 19. The settlement ends a nearly two-year long contentious case between the luxury brand and the fast-fashion behemoth.
According to The Fashion Law, in an order on July 15, Judge Rozella Oliver stated that the parties “agreed to a settlement in principle and will finalize the outstanding matters before the pretrial conference scheduled for July 16, 2021, with the district judge.”
In November 2019, Versace accused Fashion Nova of selling “deliberate copies and imitations of [its] most famous and recognizable designs, marks, symbols and other protected elements,” yet another familiar accusation for the retail brand’s notorious reputation.
As the filing stated, the designs the Italian company alleged were stolen were not inconspicuous design elements that could fly under the radar but rather its hallmark, copyright protected creations: the black and gold Barocco print, its graphic Greca pattern, and the epic plunging-neckline, tropical green chiffon dress that Jennifer Lopez famously wore at the 2000 Grammy Awards. In particular, the acclaimed J-Lo replica featured the original gown’s deep neckline (sans the low belly button reveal), high-cut leg slit, flowing sleeves and circular bedazzled green brooch.
Moreover, Versace asserted that Fashion Nova’s brazen decision to manufacture copycat garments exploits the luxury brand’s vaunted stature by leading its consumers under the false pretenses that the fast-fashion renderings were “manufactured or authorized by, or in some manner associated with, Versace.” In response, Fashion Nova argued that although Versace maintained copyright for their certain signature designs in the suit, those claims are invalid as “copyrighted [prints] … lack originality,” “are standard geometric figures and patterns,” “are in the public domain,” and “are widely used in the fashion/apparel industry.”
