Sydney designer wins 17-year legal battle against pop star Katy Perry over clothing label: 'This case has never just been about a name'

Australian fashion designer Katie Jane Taylor has won a 17-year legal battle with American pop superstar Katy Perry over her clothing label. 

The pair have been warring over the trademark for Taylor's 'Katie Perry' fashion line since 2008.

At that time, Perry's team filed a notice of opposition to the 'Katie Perry' trademark, as well as sending a cease and desist letter to Taylor. 

Australia's High Court deemed that Taylor did not breach trademark laws on Wednesday, ruling that Perry's label, Kitty Purry, and her international merchandise distributor, had been 'assiduous infringers' of Taylor's trademark.

They also noted that the 'Katy Perry' trademark excluded clothing. 

Taylor, a mum of two, has operated a clothing label under her birth name Katie Perry for almost 20 years, and held the trademark in Australia for more than a decade. 

The Sydney designer previously sued the singer, whose real name is Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, claiming she infringed her trademark by using one that was 'substantially identical to or deceptively similar'. 

Taylor claimed Perry had been using the trademark in Australia since at least 2013, selling products not only at her concerts, but also at shops such as Myer and Target. 

She partially won her claims in the Federal Court in 2023, but Perry filed an appeal. 

In 2024, the appeal court reportedly found in Perry's favour because Taylor's trademark was not 'validly registered' in 2008. 

The court said the trademark was deceptively similar to Katy Perry's name despite the different spelling of Katie. 

While 'die-hard' fans might recognise the spelling difference, the average consumer would likely be confused. 

Taylor's lawyers had told the court that she did not become aware of Katy Perry until July 2008 and had registered her Katie Perry domain name in Australia in May 2007. 

Taylor said she was 'heartbroken' by that verdict at the time. 

However, the ruling by Australia's High Court this week finally puts the trademark war to bed. 

'This has been an incredibly long and difficult journey,' Taylor wrote in a statement on Wednesday.

'I always believed that trademarks exist to protect businesses — whether they are small local brands or large global companies. This decision shows that even small Australian businesses can stand up for their rights.'

She continued: 'This case has never just been about a name. 

'It has been about protecting small business in Australia, for standing up for what is right and showing that we all matter.' 

A spokesperson for Perry said the singer 'never sought to close down Ms. Taylor's business or stop her selling clothes under the KATIE PERRY label.'