City Bar Creates New Committee on Fashion Law

The New York City Bar Association has announced the creation of a new committee on Fashion Law, which will study and comment on a wide range of legal issues associated with the fashion industry.

The establishment of the Fashion Law Committee is based on an increased interest in the legal side of the fashion industry in recent years, as demonstrated by, among other things, the Fordham Law School’s opening of a “Fashion Law Institute” in conjunction with the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Senator Charles Schumer’s recent introduction of legislation on copyright-like protection for apparel, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s recently announced initiatives to grow New York City’s fashion industry.

Among the issues the Committee is expected to examine are customs disputes, human rights issues arising from overseas production, trademark and copyright issues and real estate concerns. While other City Bar committees deal with many of these issues, there have been increasing requests from Association members for a specific committee to focus on fashion.

“It makes perfect sense for the New York City Bar to support the legal underpinnings of the world’s fashion industry capital,” said City Bar President Samuel W. Seymour. “This committee will provide the opportunity for lawyers with substantial experience in fashion-related issues to shape law and public policy in this rapidly evolving, global industry.”