Fashion Apparel Law Blog : Fashion Apparel Law Lawyer & Attorney : Sheppard Mullin Law Firm : Fashion Legal Issues

In June 2006, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) approved a plan that will allow private parties to create custom online domains. These domain names may be anywhere from 3 to 63 characters long and in nearly any alphabet, such as Arabic or Chinese. The Internet currently operates using 12 generic top-level domains (gTLDs) to direct traffic. The more common gTLDs include .com, .org, and .gov, of which "dotcom" is by far the most popular. The draft plan was released for an open comment period from October 24-December 15, 2008. There was a strong public reaction during the comment period, much of it negative.  In response, an amended plan was released on February 18, 2009, with a comment period through April 13, 2009.
 

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Multi-level marketing plans ("MLMs"), also known as "network" or "matrix" marketing plans, can be an effective way for the "little guy" or the "entrepreneur" to achieve financial success in the cosmetics or apparel industry.[1] By promoting individual autonomy and embracing the concept that the independent sales person is the main driver of success, it's no surprise that MLMs are attracting considerable talent. In fact, the Direct Selling Association, a trade group that includes the leading multi-level marketing firms, reports that the industry employed more than 15 million U.S. salespeople in 2007, and had an estimated $30 billion in U.S. direct sales. Further, the clothing, cosmetics, and personal care segment represented almost a third of all domestic sales, the highest of any major product group.
 

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Last month, the European Parliament approved new rules that will increase cosmetic safety and simplify regulatory procedures in the European Union. The legislation, which resulted from a compromise negotiation between Parliament and Council representatives, will take the form of a single regulation that applies to all member states simultaneously, and will replace the patchwork of 27 sets of national rules and 55 amendments that comprise the EU Cosmetic Directive of 1976. 
 

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Please join us for our upcoming 

Fashion & Apparel Confab-ulous
Networking Event

When: June 9, 2009, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Where: Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
30 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 2400, New York, NY 10012

Our Confabs are informal networking events where you can "meet and greet" your peers in the industry followed by a short "hot topic" presentation by various industry experts.

5:30 – 6:30 Networking, Networking, Networking – Hors d’oeuvres and drinks

6:30 – 7:00 The Design Piracy Prohibition Act: Change Fashion Needs Copyright and Fashion Design at the Crossroads in 2009

In April, designers Jason Wu, Narciso Rodriguez, Maria Cornejo and Thakoon Panichgul –- all of whom have been worn by First Lady Michelle Obama –- traveled to Washington for one day to lobby Congress for support of the bill. On April 30, 2009, the "Design Piracy Prohibition Act" was officially reintroduced in U.S. House of Representatives. This bill, if enacted, would amend Chapter 13 of the U.S. Copyright Act and grant fashion designs a three-year term of protection, based on registration with the U.S. Copyright Office. Currently, fashion design does not receive explicit protection under U.S. copyright law and protection of certain types of apparel designs can only be found through trademark and patent law. This confab will discuss the proposed bill and its impact on the fashion industry both positive and negative.

Questions? Contact Amy Romaker at aromaker@sheppardmullin.com or 858.720.7403

To RSVP please click here.

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