IDPPPA Reintroduced in Senate

In the midst of all the NYFW fabulosity, Senator Charles Schumer has brought fashion law and the issue of copyright protection for fashion to the forefront by reintroducing the IDPPPA, now retitled as IDPA, in the Senate after it has been stalled for an extensive period in the House. As discussed in a previous post, the bill aims to expand copyright laws to include fashion design after the American Apparel & Footwear Association and the Council of Fashion Designers of America forged a compromise on the issue in August 2010.

The dormancy period prompted many to believe that the success of the bill would be unlikely. And with Congress's truncated schedule due to the election, the bill's prospects continue to remain uncertain. Until then, the CFDA continues to campaign against counterfeiting with its Design Manifesto, which it began distributing at NYFW and via mail. “Originality is the ability to think independently and creatively,” said Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA, in a letter that accompanies the manifesto mailing. “We hope our Design Manifesto serves as a positive influence for all working designers!” We here at TFG couldn't agree more and hope the continued efforts of those pushing for copyright protection for original fashion works will pay off.