Australian Katie Perry wins trademark spat against singer Katy Perry

SYDNEY, Australia — Australian designer Katie Perry has won the right to sell clothes under her name, claiming victory Wednesday, March 11, in a years-long trademark spat with US pop megastar Katy Perry.

Designer Katie Perry accused her far more famous namesake of trademark infringement, arguing she had claimed the “Katie Perry” brand before the singer became a global sensation.

But songstress Katy Perry said her music had already gone “viral” as the designer started selling clothes around 2008, and sought to have the Australian trademark scrubbed out.

An Australian court agreed with the singer, ruling in 2024 the clothing trademark should be canceled.

But Australia’s High Court has now ruled in favor of the local designer on appeal, finding there was unlikely to be any risk of “confusion” between the two.

“As far as I was concerned she was a singer and not a fashion designer,” the Australian Perry wrote in a 2024 blog post.

“A reminder that the singer’s real name is Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson.”

A representative for the singer told AFP that despite the legal action she “has never sought to close down” the Australian business. /ra