South African Designer Laduma sues ZARA for Copying Sock Design

Laxhosa Socks, Photo credit-thenewage.co.za

Maxhosa By Laduma, the popular South African fashion brand, owned by Laduma Ngxokolo, is taking legal action against retail giant ZARA over a sock design. A few days ago, the designer was informed by  Twitter and Instagram users that ZARA had copied their design.

Zara socks- CityBuzz.co.za

The company wrote on their website:

"Earlier this month (April 2018), we were alerted by our patrons, that ZARA ( INDUSTRIA DE DISEÑO TEXTILE, S.A. (INDITEX S.A. Pty Ltd) company has copied one of our signature patterns. These patterns were appropriated & reproduced in as part of their sock range which they shared as new in their best-sellers on their online store." "We consulted with Shane Moore and Muhammad Patel from Moore Attorneys, one of Africa's leading IP law firms who are handling the matter on our behalf. They have since sent a letter to the parent company alerting them of the copyright infringement and our demands. We have taken such steps so as to avoid our works being appropriated and adapted without our consent or permission. Copyright infringement is a matter that we take seriously and fully aware of our intellectual property rights. We would like to thank the clients who have silently sent us proof of such infringements as they allowed us means to act. The debate as to whether we shall win the case or not remains, we stand by our decision to fight such a case. Thus, we have sent our letter of demand and we await their reply."

It appears that the socks have been spotted in ZARA outlets in the UK, New York and Sandton, South Africa. The Company’s brand has been utilized by famous people like Swizzbeatz and co-signed by Beyonce.