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Fashion designer Tamsin Cooper said today she was "hugely relieved and delighted" after namesake Trelise Cooper dropped legal proceedings against her.
Trelise filed a claim in the Auckland High Court in March last year, alleging Tamsin, from Arrowtown, had breached the Fair Trading Act and was infringing on her copyright.
Trelise was trying to stop Tamsin registering "Tamsin Cooper" as a trademark because she said the brands were similar and appealed to similar markets.
"I've had a huge smile on my face," Ms Cooper told nzherald.co.nz after the decision was announced.
She said she is thankful to the local Arrowtown community who raised money for her to fight the case.
"I've also received a lot of letters of support from the public. It's a big deal," she said.
Tamsin always argued that the two brands were different and Tamsin Cooper was her name.
She is now able to concentrate 100 per cent on her business, including exploring export opportunities in Europe, she said.
Her business was doing well before the case received media attention but it had given her more exposure.
The two designers issued a joint statement today. The statement said the media attention attracted by the case had given customers a better understanding of the difference between the two brands.
The two designers said that continuing with the case would not be productive and their energies are better focused on their building individual brands.
Tamsin will continue to trade under her name without restriction.
Bell Gully senior associate Garry Williams represents Tamsin and said it was a massive victory for his client.
He said the media had framed the issue as a David and Goliath story, which ran the risk of damaging the brands.
"We viewed it as something that should never have been in the courts. We're thrilled for Tamsin," Mr Williams said.
Read the full statement:
"Cooper and Cooper reach agreement over trade mark dispute
Tamsin Cooper and Trelise Cooper have met and come to an amicable resolution over their trade mark dispute.
As this issue has evolved, and with the significant amount of media attention it has attracted, both feel that customers now have a better understanding between the respective brands.
Both Trelise Cooper and Tamsin Cooper have agreed that to continue with the case is neither productive nor beneficial and energies are better focused on building individual brands and their future success.
Tamsin Cooper will continue to trade under her name in her current form without restriction and all legal proceedings will be withdrawn by Trelise Cooper.
Trelise Cooper and Tamsin Cooper are very happy that they have managed to resolve this without further time and distraction and both look forward to a positive and exciting future for their businesses."
