Alterations & Altercations

Trademark protection is strong, flexible, and woven into the fabric of the fashion industry.  In the absence of comprehensive, internationally harmonized intellectual property rights, fashion houses and designers often turn to trademarks to protect their work.  Even such an elastic field of law has limits, however, and recent cases such as Lululemon’s complex case against Costco, Coogi’s lawsuit against Louis Vuitton, Epoch’s objection to certain uses of its Calico Critters, Vetements’ challenge to the refusal to register its mark, Hermès’ Birkin battles, and adidas’ strife over its three stripes are challenging attorneys to think creatively.  Join us during New York Fashion Week as we celebrate fifteen years of the Fashion Law Institute and ask our distinguished panel of experts to ponder a perennial problem, “Alterations & Altercations: How far can fashion trademarks stretch?” 

DATE:  Friday, September 12, 2025
TIME:  9:30-10:45 am (with coffee at 9:00 am)
PLACE:  Bateman Room, 2nd Floor, Fordham Law School, 150 W. 62nd Street, New York, NY  10023
NYS CLE: 1.5 hours professional practice, transitional and non-transitional