By: Jeffrey Greene
When a designer sets out to make a mark in the world of fashion, it’s often only their name and designs that require protection. But there are many legal issues at play that can vex any entrepreneur and it’s crucial that designers seek the assistance of good counsel. That’s why the Fordham Fashion Law Clinic fills such an important role in the life of fledgling fashion businesses.
The Fordham Fashion Law Clinic, part of Fordham’s Fashion Law Institute, provides legal assistance to emerging designers, fashion industry professionals and fashion startups. The clinic matches individual designers with a volunteer attorney who has both fashion experience and substantive expertise related to the questions at hand.
Being able to use my trademark and copyright experience and interest in fashion/apparel while helping others seemed like a natural fit. I was very interested in participating.
What I quickly realized is how important and critical my advice was to the young designers I met. For them, having someone to help navigate the choppy waters of starting a fashion business, while providing immediate and long-term business and legal advice was invaluable.
One designer I had the pleasure of working with creates clothing from vintage bed sheets and fabric and had various questions regarding both trademark and copyright issues. He was interested in growing and protecting his brand and was unsure and unaware of the legal requirements and obstacles in doing so. We set out to make a checklist of basic and practical trademark, copyright and advertising tactics and next steps and quick fixes. I could tell from the look on his face that he was relieved to have a game plan and reenergized in his approach.
Another designer ran a developing a company that manufactures a line of evening wear using certain tech/breathable fabrics not common to the evening wear market. She had actually received prior advice related to her name and trademark in marketing materials and labels that proved to be incorrect; attending the clinic was her last hope for putting her business back on track. We discussed copyright protection, use of third-party materials and non-disclosure agreements. I quickly put her at ease and talked through next steps and effective strategies for the next time she’s presenting her designs and ideas to others.
Supporting the Fordham Fashion Law Clinic furthers the goal and the impact of Fenwick’s pro bono program by offering much needed legal services to those in need who might not otherwise be able to help themselves.
It is a reminder of the reasons why many of us entered the law in the first place and lucky to be in a position to make a difference in the lives of others.
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