With the fashion industry generating over 350 billionannually, a few New York based designers ( Diane Von Furstenberg, NarciscoRodriguez and Nicole Miller just to name a few) have formed a coalition inseeking that the current US copy write law extend to the fashion world.


The Council of Fashion Designers of America is pushing forthe Design Piracy Prohibition Act. The act would grant a three year copyright protection in fashion designs, and would incur penalties of 250,000 or $5 per copy whenviolated. The bill also might go as far as protecting not only the designconcepts cut and shape, but also go farther and actually protect the pattern ona piece of fabric used for garment assembly. Both Houses have agreed and havedrafted similar bills recognizing the need for US fashion industry to be protected by law.


What has caused this change of attitude in the fashion worldwhen after all fashion is a re-inventing of itself from past trends to drawinginspiration from other designers .In the past the view was that Imitation isthe sincerest form of flattery? Why change now? Three drastic things haveturned the American fashion world to take notice and re-think the ratherrelaxed view of the past.


The new trend of top designers like Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang,Isaac Mizrahi, and Nicole Miller bringing exclusive designer collections to midlevel retailers such as Target, Kohls and JC Pennys thus affording the massesthe appeal of being fashionable. The rate at which knock-offs can be createdfrom cut, to production to on the rack from huge over seas supply chains andmanufacturing.


Finally the new trend of designers extending their ownlabels into diversified markets crossing over to reach new potential clients. Agood example would be some of the luxury jean line designers, now creatingsportswear, accessories and even shoes. However, not all in the fashionindustry agree with the proposed bill and even The Council of Fashion Designersof America is split on the bill. What causes concerns are the damaging effectsit could have, the cure maybe greater than the illness stifling creativity,competition and growth.


After all it is these very same principles that allow fashion to grow, to be fresh drawing its inspiration from the past andbeing able to be free and reference others designs and some how making themoriginal. How many times have we seen fashion classics re-born such as thelittle black cocktail dress, the polo shirt or the cargo pants, with a newtwist, perhaps; an added pocket, different material or new stitch this is whatbirths trends, the very thing that keeps fashion alive, who will decide whocreated an original. Did Ralph Lauren really design the cotton knit shirt knownso affectionately as the Polo shirt or did the logo on the shirt create thebuzz? If such law existed would they have been a success? Only time will tellwho this bill really benefits.



To read more articles on Textile,Industry,TechnicalTextile, Dyes& Chemicals, Machinery,Fashion,Apparel,Technology,Retail,Leather,Footwear & Jewellery,  Software and Generalplease visit https://articles.fibre2fashion.com


To promote your company, product and services via promotional article, followthis link: https://www.fibre2fashion.com/services/article-writing-service/content-promotion-services.asp