Kate Spade Fashion Saturday in Trademark Dispute

Fifth & Pacific’s subsidiary “Kate Spade” has won a trademark dispute related to the name and logo of its newest clothing brand, “Kate Spade Saturday”.

“Kate Spade”, a New York brand offering clothing, jewellery, handbags, footwear, accessories, home furnishings and bridal wear have been involved in a legal action related to the Kate Spade Saturday brand name and logo. The company was in a legal dispute with independent retailer Saturdays Surf NYC in New York, who had approached the company stating that it felt the Kate Spade Saturday name was too similar to its own and that this would likely make consumers confused.

The reason there was initial dispute over the proposed new clothing range for Kate Spade, is that another other party claimed that the name was not distinctive enough from another company’s trademark brand; meaning it could easily be misinterpreted.

Kate Spade took the issue to federal court, arguing that it was not infringing or copying the independent retailer’s, Saturday’s Surf NYC’s trademark. Soon after, the court had reached a verdict, and Fifth & Pacific then issued the following statement:

“We are happy to announce that the court ruled in our favour. The court’s findings align exactly with what we believe—that both companies and brands can peacefully co-exist in the market”

Shiona Marsh