Why Fashion Brands Need Legal Counsel Early in the Design Process

Fashion invites creativity, but the law limits what designers can claim as their own. In the United States, clothing is sometimes treated as a “useful article,” which narrows copyright protection to elements that can be separated from function. In fashion, legal protection begins long before a piece hits the runway or the market. Copyright eligibility, trademark protection and design patents are tools used in the industry to provide long term protections to creative works.

At LoRusso Business Law we work with designers from the earliest stages to identify what can be copyrighted, what may qualify for patent protection, and what should be protected through trademarks. By integrating IP strategy into the creative process, LoRusso Business Law helps designers safeguard their artistic expressions in a way that promotes brand identity, industry recognition and sustained long-term growth.