FASHION LAW AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS: COPYRIGHTING DESIGNS, FAST FASHION ISSUES, AND PROTECTING LUXURY BRANDS

AUTHOR – AKSHAY MAHAVIRA, STUDENT AT AMITY LAW SCHOOL PATNA

BEST CITATION – AKSHAY MAHAVIRA, FASHION LAW AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS: COPYRIGHTING DESIGNS, FAST FASHION ISSUES, AND PROTECTING LUXURY BRANDS, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (13) OF 2025, PG. 706-710, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344

ABSTRACT

Fashion, as an ever-evolving industry, stands at the intersection of art, culture, and commerce. The potency of its creativity is balanced by the vulnerability of its production  easily copied, rapidly commodified, and frequently globalized with minimal recognition for original creators. The absence of consistent legal protection leads to widespread imitation, counterfeiting, and market dilution, devaluing artistic innovation. This paper explores the connection between fashion and intellectual property rights (IPR), focusing on three principal aspects: the copyrighting of designs, the challenges arising from fast fashion, and the strategies for protecting luxury brands. It analyzes how copyright, design law, trademark protection, patents, and geographical indications collectively shape the legal landscape of fashion. The Indian context is studied beside global frameworks to demonstrate how IPR can promote ethical creativity, sustainable growth, and brand integrity in an increasingly digitalized marketplace.