Protecting the World of Fashion Design

The world of fashion gets an unfair treatment compared to other artists who has laws to protect their work. There isn’t however a single law that protects entire fashion designs. Copyrighting fashion designs affects discount consumers, discount retailers, generic label producers, and inspiring fashion designs negatively, which makes them disapprove the idea of copyright. Although I am a discount consumer, I believe in one form or another, designers do need their works protected in order to get recognized for their work both financially and artistically.

Many employers that sell “knock off” brands are against the whole idea of copyright solely because it is their way of making money. New designers who look to high fashion designers will no longer be able to use their inspiration as way to come up with their own designs. The small detailing that distinguishes the two designs will no longer be permitted. Most small businesses don’t have enough money to fight off lawyers against piracy claims. Money will be lost and they’ll eventually lose their business.

After putting in several hours and money into sketching designs, determining what fabric to use, etc a designer isn’t even given credit for being the first to put that design out in the market. Putting together fashion shows and creating designs takes hours of hard work and dedication. Because fashion is advertised through television, newspapers, magazines, etc it’s easier for works to be seen, and for more ideas to be created. The fashion industry is a multi-billion dollar industry, and it grows rapidly. It shouldn’t be legal for someone to imitate an original design and sell it to the public, with no punishment. Copying isn’t the only means of introducing fashion. It’s been mentioned that designers have been denied protection by law also because consumers feel that designs are useful articles, and aren’t potent enough to be protected.

The Design Piracy Prohibition Act should be taken into effect because designers too will be able to get their works protected. Designers have relied on other forms of protection, and it is clear with the amount of discount stores and “knock off” brands, that they aren’t effective. For many years designers have been trying to get their works copyrighted but has been denied protections, because there isn’t a law that protects their design. Getting permission from the designers themselves to use their designs would be the most appropriate form to take. Money will still be made, fashions will still be created, and designers will get recognition for their work.