Fashion label spat takes new turn

Arrowtown fashion designer Tamsin Cooper has lodged a counter-statement with the Intellectual Property Office in response to industry giant Trelise Cooper's opposition to the registration of her brand.

Trelise Cooper lodged an objection after Tamsin Cooper tried to register the brand in May.

The Auckland designer said the name was too close to her own brand, launched eight years ago and now internationally recognised, and would cause confusion in the competitive fashion industry.

Tamsin Cooper's two-year-old business initially specialised in silk accessories but has branched into clothing, making headway in Australia.

She said yesterday that the arguments contained in her counter-statement were three-fold: First, the two brands were not confusing, and did not attempt to deceive the public.

Secondly, the name Tamsin Cooper was her own; and thirdly, her brand was already two years old and she should be able to continue using it.