Clinton's designer claims Rohit Bal stole her 'Lotus Pond' motif for the WIFW finale; Bal is unperturbed
Clinton's designer claims Rohit Bal stole her 'Lotus Pond' motif for the WIFW finale; Bal is unperturbed
A flower is a rare cause for a fight (provided we keep politics out), but in the weird, wide world of fashion, just about anything is possible. Delhi-based fashion designer Vijay Laxmi Dogra, who's dressed clients like Hillary Clinton and American actor Jessica Cauffiel of Legally Blonde fame, has lashed out at WIFW grand finale bagger Rohit Bal for using the sacred symbol in his designs on Ranbir Kapoor. She claims the 'Lotus Pond' print is her creation.
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Designer Vijay Laxmi Dogra with her Lotus Pond piece |
Dogra alleges that the pattern, which Rohit used on the jacket worn by the Wake Up Sid actor at the concluding show of the recently-held Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week, is registered in her name. "I have the copyright over it since 2003. In the same year, I organised a model shoot with actor Yana Gupta, with Atul Kasbekar being the photographer. I sold it to Hillary (Clinton) only after that. Also, I have been using the Lotus Pond motif for almost a 10 years. How can a designer of Rahul's repute indulge in plagiarism, that too for a show that concludes the largest fashion event in the country?" accuses the lady lividly, threatening a lawsuit.
Gudda, on the other hand, is amused rather than disturbed. "Please tell the lady that she'll be in big trouble if she goes legal, because I have been doing 'lotus' since more than a decade-and-a-half, and have an absolute right over it. In fact, it was way back in 1995 that I started the trend," he says. "Whosoever knows even a bit about fashion knows that most of the motifs around lotus are Rohit's. It might sound clichu00c3u00a9d, but she's doing it for cheap publicity. By the way, has anyone even heard about her? That I have to clarify my stand on this allegation is funny in itself," he scoffs.u00a0
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Rohit Bal with Ranbir Kapoor at the WIFW grand finale
pics and video/Rajeev tyagi and subhash barolia |
Lawfully speakingu00a0
If, to a layman, two designs from two different designers appear similar, it's plagiarism. According to the Intellectual Copyright Act, 'lotus' can't be a subject of copyright. But one can surely copyright a black coloured lotus with thorns, because that's an artistic impression. In case of a legal proceeding, a victim can ask the violator to stop copying the designs, pay for losses that occurred due to the infringement, and even demand a share in the profits. Criminal charges can also be applied.u00a0
Manish Khanna, lawyer Cuts and copies>>Anyone who joins JJ Valaya's team has to sign a 'non-disclosure' agreement as an acknowledgement of the legal course that he may face in case of pilfering
>>In 2005, Suneet Varma accused fellow designer Aki Narula of copying his designs for Bolly hit Bunty Aur Babliu00a0
>>Last year, Pria Kataria Puri accused Gucci and Hermes of copying her paisley prints from a collection called Kashmir Ki Kali
>>Earlier this year, Rohit Bal had said he was honoured to know that international label Marchesa had copied his style in one of their gowns
Dogra's coveted clientele>>Kirron Kher
>>Hillary Clinton
>>Renuka Chaudhary
>>Jessica Cauffiel
>>Manisha Koirala
