Stop Fashion Piracy
Reasons to STOP Fashion Piracy

THE INDUSTRY SPEAKS OUT


"When knockoffs are so literal, it's a problem, and I think it's become a big problem for us. We have a lot of counterfeiting going on. I think everyone is inspired by different things and different designers, but you have to make it your own. I think when people cross that boundary is when the problem begins."
- Tory Burch


"Many more young people are exited about the opportunities that America's leadership in fashion provides, and like me, are trying to build a career here.  All too often however, we find our ability to do so is undermined by pirates who, instead of layinig out the money we do for research, pattern makers, to mount fashion shows, etc, they just copy the end product of all our investments and, by virtue of having a cost free design, sell our design in the marketplace for cheaper than what we can."
- Thakoon Panichugal


"Fashion, like movies, is a powerful medium to convey creative ideas, and that they are inextricably linked - a notion that has been present in the movies for decades. I was shocked to learn that U.S. fashion designers have little or no recourse against design piracy. I might not know how to sew a dress and I might not know how to design a piece of jewelry, but I'm pretty good in a street fight and I bet you this [copyright] bill gets passed."
- Harvey Weinstein


"Design piracy denigrates the integrity of the style. This year, we have been copied more than we have in past years. With this legislation, people will be deterred from making everything too literal."
- Nicole Miller


"Kate Winslet's movies are protected from pirates, but Kate Spade's bags are not."
- Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D., N.Y.)


"Though most nations protect fashion designs under property protection laws, the United States currently does not award copyrights to apparel because the bestower of patents - who clearly missed McQueen's fall 2006 giant gauze-wrapped deer antler headdress - deems clothing "useful articles," not works of art."
- Lindsay Sammon


"Design is "every bit intellectual property - yet the law says, 'Come, rip it off' - it's absolutely amazing."
- Sen. Charles Schumer (D., N.Y.)


"Good design is widespread and exists at all levels of the market; unfortunately, so does copying. A pair of Crocs shoes that sells for less than $30 is as vulnerable to knockoff artists as an evening gown that sells for thousands."
- Susan Scafidi


"The fashion industry thrives on inspiration...We don't want to outlaw the imitation of a 'look,' just plagiarism. After all, a designer's ability to create a trend is often his or her mark of success."
- Lisa Smilor


"Great American designers, like Geoffrey Beene, were always vulnerable because their designs could not be protected. Mr. Beene was the master of original designs (an American original) and he often was dismayed to see his original designs knocked off before his creations were on the floor of department stores. The Design Piracy Prohibition Act is something that he would have believed in."
- Steven Kolb


"This is a huge industry, and there is always room for interpretation, but at any price point you can be creative. You don't need to bottom-feed off what the stars are wearing."
- Dinesh Chandrasena


"Piracy cuts our legs out from underneath us in terms of building a brand, an identity."
- Dayna Foley, Foley & Corinna


"What is interesting is that some the magazines actually promote this, like in the case of Bridget Moynahan wearing our original and Life&Style telling readers where to buy the fake! Incredible..."
- Monica Botkier


"...pirates selling our goods do a horrible job knocking it off. On one hand, it is a sign as a young designer that you are being noticed world-wide. On the other hand, it chips away at your credibility in terms of product and long-term customer education. Meaning, if someone who has only heard of the brand through magazines logs onto ebay to purchase a counterfeit and they receive the horrible product, they will associate us with this counterfeit. In that way, it really destroys our potential future bottom line. And the only thing we can do is report it to ebay. It�s like having your hands tied!"
- Phillip Lim


"As a major leader in the world of fashion we are obligated to take the responsibility of protecting the creative process and the designed product that it produces."
- Stan Herman


"Original design is the impetus for all things beautiful...and all things commercially viable and successful. That is why the design piracy act is so vitally needed, to protect and nourish original design creativity."
- Jeffrey Banks


"My designs are known for their sophisticated shapes and feminine silhouettes. The fit, cut, and detailing of our clothes are as much a part of the Oscar de la Renta brand as our logo itself. They are just as recognizable to our customers and should be protected equally."
- Oscar de la Renta


"There are so many aspects of a fashion business that make it risky in the best of circumstances and the pirates are only making it riskier . Young designers will not survive in the face of knockoffs that dilute the value of the original design."
-Narciso Rodriguez


"I used to think that design piracy was wrong as a matter of artistic expression and its protection. Increasingly, it looks like thievery. If U.S. designers are to be encouraged and invigorated so that we can compete globally, then the act must be passed by congress. Over a year ago I visited with representatives and senators in congress about this problem. They really didn't understand. Progress has been made with the introduction of the bill. It's time for the Design Piracy Prohibition Act to be passed. It's time for those who rip off the work of others to know that it just won't fly anymore. Support artists and designers."
- Zac Posen


"Great American fashion design, not cheap imitations, should be available at every price point. Today, retailers like Target, Kohl's and JC Penney hire designers to create collections for their stores. This protects designers and ensures fashion at affordable prices for consumers. Pirates, on the other hand, steal American designs, make low quality copies in foreign factories with cheap labor and import them into the U.S. to compete with original designs. Emerging designers remain vulnerable to knockoff artists who can steal ideas straight off the runway and produce copies before the originals even reach stores. This can effectively put young designers out of business before they even have a chance. I fully support the "Design Piracy Prohibition Act," which will offer support to creative designers while preserving the flow of trends and styles at the heart of fashion design."
- Diane von Furstenberg