Supermodel Miranda Kerr is in the midst of piracy claims. The swimsuit company Seafolly has launched Federal court action against a company it alleges stole the bikini pattern for its Zambezi range. Modelled by Kerr in its 2007 catalogue, Seafolly says the Zambezi pattern is a tribal-style design it has owned since 2006. The claim was filed last week by Seafolly alleging Sydney company Australian Downtown Marketing (ADM) sold copies of the bikini which were marketed under the Mooloola brand. It is the third time in four years that Seafolly has launched legal action against alleged knockoffs. Seafolly said it bought the Zambezi design from Sydney textile designer Longina Phillips in 2006. After purchasing it, Seafolly then simplified the design and printed it into fabric for use in the Zambezi range which included, bikinis, singlets, dresses and a kaftan. City beach, who owns the Mooloola brand, told Seafolly it had ordered stocks of the swimsuits, but they were "returned to its Chinese manufacturer as they were considered defective." What does Seafolly want out of the lawsuit? Seafolly wants a declaration that ADM has infringed its copyright, an order stopping them from doing it again, and all supplies of the fabric used to make the Mooloola suits and the profits from selling the togs.
I find it interesting that it is the third time in four years that the Seafolly company has launched legal action against a "knockoff." Are they delibrately searching for other brands to copy there style? Or are they just that unique and obvious that the other companies are taking the designs and establishing them as there own?
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