Robyn Rihanna Fenty v. Arcadia Group Brands, Ltd. (T/A Topshop)
England and Wales High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, Intellectual Property
[2013] EWHC 2310, 2013 WL 387813 (2013)

- Written by Sarah Holley, JD
Facts
Rihanna (plaintiff) was a famous pop star and fashion icon. Topshop (defendant) was a well-known fashion retailer. Rihanna brought an action against Topshop for passing off after Topshop started selling a t-shirt bearing her image. The image was licensed from an independent photographer who took the original photograph during a video shoot for Rihanna’s single “We Found Love.” Topshop did not request permission or license the use from Rihanna. Rihanna argued that sale of the t-shirt without her permission infringed her rights on the grounds of passing off because there was a strong likelihood that a substantial number of customers would be deceived into thinking Rihanna herself had authorized the image and would purchase the t-shirt because of that mistaken belief.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Birss, J.)
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