Singer Katy Perry has successfully appealed a trademark ruling over her name, after being sued by an Australian designer who sells clothes under her birth name Katy Perry.
Three appeals judges on Friday overturned one Last year the court’s decision came in favor of Katie Taylor On merchandise sold by the pop star during her 2014 tour of Australia.
The judges noted that Perry had been using her name as a trademark five years before Taylor started her business, and said that by that time, Perry had gained an “international reputation” in entertainment.
Judges also canceled Taylor’s trademark registration on Friday.
Taylor compared his legal battle with Perry to “David and Goliath”. After Friday’s verdict she told the Sydney Morning Herald that she was “devastated” by the outcome of the case.
The appeal judges said it was “unfortunate” that the case revealed two entrepreneurial women who used their own names as trademarks but were unaware that another existed.
The judges said, “Both women put blood, sweat and tears into developing their businesses.”
“As one grew to international fame, the other became aware of its name and filed a trademark application,” he said.
The judge who ruled in Taylor’s favor last year referenced one of Perry’s biggest hits in his decision: “This is a story of two women, two teenage dreams and one name”.
Friday’s decision comes as Perry prepares for her Lifetime World Tour in early 2025 to support her comeback album 143.
