Arrowtown business owners have put their support behind local designer Tamsin Cooper, who is embroiled in a trademark battle with top New Zealand fashion designer Trelise Cooper.
Trelise Cooper has opposed an Intellectual Property Office decision to allow Tamsin Cooper to register her name as a brand.
Trelise said she is opposing Tamsin's application to trademark her name for her collection of silk and embroidery accessories and clothes after comparing her marketing with her own branding.
The lawyers are still talking, but in the meantime Tamsin Cooper's Central Otago hometown has come out in full support.
People all over Arrowtown have re-named their businesses by adding the word Cooper to their signage.
"Well we've got Gold Fleece Cooper, Gonepotty Cooper, we've got the Arrowtown bakery Cooper," says Bridget Paape from the Arrowtown Businesswoman's Group.
Tamsin Cooper was overwhelmed by the gesture.
"I just drive down the main street and I just about burst into tears actually, I was completely overwhelmed," she says.
Trelise Cooper though is more underwhelmed and doesn't want to comment.
Through her lawyer she says she prefers to wait for the outcome from the Intellectual Property Office. She says if Tamsin Cooper wants to gain sympathy or support from this action, that's up to her.
The Arrowtown businesswomen say Tamsin Cooper had nothing to do with their campaign.
