Page Number
151
Abstract
In recent years, 3D printing has become more prevalent in United States manufacturing. This emerging technology is used in the biotechnology industry, the food industry, and will soon enter the fashion industry. Even though it is still a rarity reserved primarily for fashion shows, there will be a time when 3D printed cotton and thread are finally perfected and made available for home use. Once this technology is available for home use in a few years, fashion brands will likely feel threatened by infringing articles of clothing.
Lawyers currently estimate that millions of dollars of intellectual property protection will be lost due to 3D printing infringers and 3D printed counterfeit items. The fashion industry is severely threatened by the increased ease of counterfeiting through this technology, especially with its emphasis on logos and brand awareness. Because it is inevitable that 3D printing will have a significant role in the manufacturing process, the fashion industry should take advantage of this innovative idea by entering into trademark license agreements.
This article discusses how trademark protection is best suited for the fashion industry and how trademark licensing is the most practical solution to protect fashion brands against infringement due to 3D printing. Trademark licensing offers a reasonable solution to allow 3D printing manufacturers to 3D print authentic branded items for sale and it allows consumers to correctly identify the source of the good.
Recommended Citation
Abraham, Naomi E.
(2015)
"Trademark Licensing: Fashion Forward Protection against 3D Printing,"
Denver Sports & Entertainment Law Journal: Vol. 18:
Iss.
1, Article 6.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/selj/vol18/iss1/6