It can be argued that fashion is one of the most innovative industries in the world. New styles come out four times a year and stores such as Zara and Forever 21 can design, produce and distribute a new garment in as little as 15 days. However, unlike many other creative industries, fashion designers have had very little intellectual property protection. Although this may be disputed by our friends in the music industry, it seems that the lack of IP protection may have actually increased the pace of innovation as opposed to ruining the industry altogether.

However, this may all change. A growing number of designers are placing trademarks and patents on their designs in an attempt to keep competitors from copying their work. An anti-piracy bill, called the Design Piracy Prohibition Act, has also been proposed to curtail fashion retailers from selling rebranded versions of high end products.

This seems like a step in the wrong direction. A low priced, rebranded copy of a garment or a purse is a compliment to the designer’s ingenuity. Making styles and fashions more accessible to the average person drives the designer’s popularity. After all, not everyone can afford a Hermès bag, but seeing many similar ones on the street may entice those who have the means to buy the original. Even knockoffs, which are illegal, may help rise the popularity of a certain style. After all, who heard of Luis Vuitton before replicas of the company’s purses became mainstream. In the end, designers should stick to what has worked best for them throughout the years – new ideas and rapid innovation. The surest way of staying ahead.