Women’s Wear Daily is reporting that two of the major fashion industry associations were unable to meet agreement on the details of the legislation. There were too many unintended consequences.

The WWD breaking news story is here:
<http://wwd.com/issue/article/123288>

Just blogged on it here:
<http://www.publicknowledge.org/node/1437>

This is also S.1957

Also, to anyone thinking of supporting this bill, please look at and understand trademark law and patent law a bit first, and explain why we need to change the scope of copyright law to specifically address the fashion industry. Patents and trademarks provide enough protection, meanwhile the whole system is enough of a mess that we don’t need to start giving out patent and trademark rights through copyright law to specific industries.

It would be more appropriate to work on a way to make a simple fast track 3 year patents for the fashion industry that wouldn’t require nearly the expense or difficulty of a full 17 year patent.

They are changing the wrong law. Make them get it right and oppose this bill.

If you were talking about a zipper, or some other fastener, then yes, Patent law would rule here. But we are talking about a design of fabric with varying shapes and colors, which is art, thusly belonging to copyright protection. Patent and trademark law does not, nor should it work here. This is not a little “Swoosh” sign by NIKE, or a little polo player and horse for Ralph Lauren’s Polo label (all of which fall under trademark law), or the aforementioned zipper, button, or lacing system (which would be a patent).

Promote this bill. Oppose any other action.

Study your intellectual properties before opposing bills.