Topshop in trouble over copied sweater

BRONWYN WILLIAMS

Last updated 13:17 05/09/2012

A TALE OF TWO SWEATERS: The Topshop version, left, has been pulled from stores after complaints from Fred Perry, who designed on the navy version, right.

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We're all aware of designer - inspired high street garments, but what happens when 'inspiration' becomes 'imitation'?

UK fashion giant Topshop has had legal action taken against them for a sweater they produced that was almost identical to one by Fred Perry.

The 60-year old tennis label 's famous laurel wreath logo was mimicked by Topshop and put onto a cable knit jumper similar to one of Perry's classic styles - except that Topshop's version was made of acrylic and cost less than half the price.

The two companies have just settled the dispute, with Topshop agreeing to pay damage to profit and legal costs, and immediately taking the product from their shelves.

Fred Perry's representative, Roy Crozier, told The Telegraph the blunder was "one of the clearest cases of trademark infringement I have come across in the fashion industry".

In 2009 New Zealand designer Trelise Cooper got in trouble after one of her designs was found to be identical to one on sale in Topshop. She blamed her embroidery supplier and pulled the piece from her collection.

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