"It's not that the laws [for fashion] are any different, but if the lawyer speaks the same language from the start it makes things a lot easier. There are a lot of issues you need to get to early,"— Diane von Furstenberg
Our practice covers the entire fashion product lifecycle, from design and manufacturing to distribution, international trade, e-commerce and dispute resolution.
Effective legal advice in the fashion industry requires more than knowledge of the law. It requires an understanding of how the industry operates, how quickly it moves and how commercial decisions are made. We approach legal issues in their business and industry context, rather than in isolation.
We understand fashion. We practice law.
How We Can Help.
Brand, Design and IP Protection
- Trade mark registration and portfolio management in Russia and worldwide
- Protection of product designs, brand assets and technological innovations, including the registration of industrial designs and inventions in Russia and worldwide
- Anti-counterfeiting and IP enforcement, including customs measures and action against infringing listings on online marketplaces
Brand Protection and Reputation
- Handling trade mark disputes and challenging bad-faith applications before Russian IP office (Rospatent) and the courts
- Representing brands and their founders in defamation and reputational disputes
- Protecting brand identity and market position through unfair competition and IP infringement claims
Creative Collaborations and IP Rights
- Advising on agreements with employees, freelancers and creative partners, including photographers, stylists, models, influencers and production teams, with a focus on IP ownership and licensing
- Protecting trade secrets, know-how and commercially sensitive information through tailored confidentiality frameworks
Commercial Partnerships and Growth
- Structuring and documenting collaborations, joint projects and other commercial partnerships
- Advising on M&A and investment transactions, including acquisitions of fashion businesses and brands, investment arrangements and IP portfolio transfers, with due consideration to tax and employment matters
- Drafting and negotiating supply and manufacturing agreements, including provisions on quality, delivery, liability and payment
- Structuring exclusivity arrangements and restrictions on competing brands
- Drafting, reviewing and negotiating franchise agreements for fashion and retail businesses
Advertising and marketing
- Drafting and negotiating influencer, endorsement and advertising agreements, including brand ambassador arrangements, collaborations and limited-edition collections
- Advising on the use of user-generated content in advertising and marketing campaigns
- Reviewing advertising, marketing materials and brand communications for legal and regulatory compliance
Data Protection and Privacy
- Advising on the use of customer data, cookies, ad-tech, CRM systems and personalisation tools, including compliance requirements and data-use models
- Drafting and updating privacy policies, consent forms and internal data-processing procedures, including compliance reviews of CRM systems and direct marketing practices
Selected Experience.
Brand Protection Following a Dispute with a Local Partner
Fashion & Retail
Advised an international lingerie brand in a dispute with a former local partner involving the unauthorised registration and use of the client’s trade mark. We developed a comprehensive enforcement strategy that enabled the client to regain control of the brand, stop the infringing activities and protect its market position.
Protecting the Design of an Iconic Product
Fashion & IP
Advised an Italian premium fashion brand on the protection of an iconic handbag design and related trade marks following the emergence of look-alike products online and the launch of competing products. We developed an enforcement strategy that enabled the client to stop the infringing activity and preserve the design’s exclusivity and commercial value.
Sanctions-Related Supply and Distribution Dispute
Fashion & Trade
Represented a client in a dispute with a European fashion house belonging to a leading French luxury group following the unilateral termination of a distribution agreement and refusal to refund advance payments due to sanctions-related restrictions. We developed a legal strategy addressing the applicable sanctions regime and cross-border supply arrangements, resulting in recovery of the advance payments without litigation.
IP Rights in Advertising Content
Fashion & Media
Advised on a complex dispute concerning rights to audiovisual content, including performers’ rights and the rights of the production company, arising from deficiencies in the contractual arrangements for an advertising campaign. We developed a strategy based on the applicable copyright, related rights framework and relevant case law, enabling the client to resume use of a key marketing asset and preserve its investment in the rebranding campaign.
Protecting a Global Trade Mark Portfolio
Retail and Sanctions
Advised an international fashion brand on the protection and management of its trade mark portfolio across multiple jurisdictions. We developed a coordinated strategy for securing and enforcing the client’s trade mark rights, addressing conflicting registrations and potential infringement risks, and preserving the commercial value of its brands.
Online Brand Protection and Look-Alike Trade Marks
Luxury & IP
Advised an international premium consumer brand on protecting its trade marks against the registration and use of confusingly similar marks in Russia, including a mark closely imitating the client’s original brand. We developed a multi-layered enforcement strategy involving proceedings before Russian IP office (Rospatent), engagement with social media and hosting platforms, and applications for interim relief before the courts, enabling the client to stop the infringements and materially reduce the risk of brand dilution.
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