Pop star Katy Perry has emerged victorious in a long-running legal battle over her name against Australian designer Katie Perry, putting an end to a dispute that spanned years and left both sides embroiled in controversy.
The case began when Katie Taylor, who designs clothing under her birth name Katie Perry, sued the international sensation for trademark infringement. Taylor claimed that the singer’s merchandise, sold during her 2014 Australian tour, caused confusion with her brand.
While a court ruling in 2023 initially sided with Taylor, Perry’s legal team appealed the decision, arguing that the singer had been using her name as a trademark long before Taylor started her fashion business in 2006. On November 22, the appeals court reversed the earlier ruling, emphasizing that Perry’s global fame predated Taylor’s use of the name.
A Tale of Two “Perrys”
Judges noted that the singer, whose legal name is Katheryn Hudson, offered a “co-existence agreement” to Taylor back in 2009. Taylor rejected the offer and proceeded with legal action years later.
The judgment stated, “Ms. Taylor chose to commence infringement proceedings. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to return to the time of peaceful coexistence.”
The court also decided to cancel Taylor’s trademark registration, effectively ending her claim to exclusive use of the name “Katie Perry” in her fashion line.
A “David vs. Goliath” Battle
Taylor expressed her disappointment in a statement, calling the ruling a crushing blow to her dreams. She described her fight against Perry as a “David and Goliath” battle, saying, “This case proves a trademark isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on. My dream since I was 11 years old has now been taken away.”
While the ruling favored Perry, the judges acknowledged the efforts both women put into building their respective brands, calling the legal clash an “unfortunate” outcome.
Katy Perry has yet to comment on the case publicly, but she is reportedly preparing for her upcoming Lifetimes world tour in 2025, supporting her highly anticipated comeback album.
