Dutch lingerie brand Sapph admits copyright infringement on Marlies Dekkers designs

The bra war has finally come to an end. Lingerie brands Sapph and Marlies Dekkers have buried the hatchet through a settlement. A condition for the settlement is Sapph’s recognition of copyright infringement on Marlies Dekkers’ lingerie designs.

In 2008 Marlies Dekkers initiated a court proceeding against Sapph for alleged copyright infringement on a large part of her bra designs. In May this year, the judge ruled in favor of Marlies Dekkers.  Sapph was no longer allowed to sell four bras and a brief and needed to pay damages to Marlies Dekkers. Sapph disagreed with the ruling and appealed.

Last July, the parties disagreed on payment of the damages. Therefore, Marlies Dekkers seized several properties of Sapph-entrepreneur Rob Heilbron. Heilbron claimed the seizing was illegitimate because the verdict was directed against Sapph the company of which he was formally not a shareholder or director. This incident did not benefit the case.

Now, Sapph and Marlies Dekkers agreed on a settlement. Sapph has withdrawn the appeal and thereby acknowledges copyright infringement on the Marlies Dekkers bras. Allegedly, Marlies Dekkers dropped the damages’ claim in return, but this has not yet been confirmed by the company.

Read more about copyright in fashion on FutureofCopyright.com:

• Magazine published on law and fashion
• Special fashion law to protect American fashion-industry
• Christian Louboutin: zero tolerance to counterfeiting

Reference: Sprout.nl

By: Karen Groen