Cooper trademark battle heats up 

A branding battle is heating up between two fashion designers who share a surname.

The Arrowtown-based Tamsin Cooper has lodged a counter statement with the Intellectual Property Office, after the fashion industry leader Trelise Cooper opposed her attempts to register her label.

Tamsin Cooper tried to register her two-year-old label last year, but Trelise Cooper lodged an objection saying the name was too close to her brand and would cause confusion in the competitive industry.

Tamsin Cooper says she is not trying to deceive the public. She says the brand is her own name and she should be able to continue using it.

Patent lawyers say trademark registration cases are often settled out of court. But to succeed in court Trelise Cooper must prove the public is being confused or misled into buying Tamsin Cooper clothing.

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