Katy Perry has emerged victorious in her legal fight to retain her name in Australia, successfully appealing a trademark decision that was in favor of Australian designer Katie Taylor, who operates under her birth name. The ruling happened on Friday when three appeal judges determined that Perry had been using her name as a trademark since before Taylor started her business, which began after Perry had established her international fame.
In their judgment, the appeals judges noted that Perry's prominence in the music industry predated Taylor's trademark application, leading them to cancel Taylor's trademark rights. Taylor had previously compared their legal dispute to a "David and Goliath" scenario and expressed her devastation over the outcome, which she communicated to the Sydney Morning Herald following the court's decision.
The judges remarked on the unfortunate nature of the conflict, highlighting that both women had worked hard to build their respective businesses while being unaware of each other's existence at the outset. They acknowledged the efforts and dedication each woman had put into their brands, stating, "Both women put blood, sweat and tears into developing their businesses.”
Last year, the court’s initial ruling in favor of Taylor made headlines, with the judge noting the similarities of the situation to one of Perry's iconic songs, emphasizing the narrative of two ambitious women sharing a common name. The recent ruling comes as Perry gears up for her much-anticipated Lifetimes world tour in early 2025, which aims to promote her comeback album, 143.
