A BOUTIQUE fashion business has won a court battle against retail giant ZARA after it was threatened with legal action over its branding. 

Amber Kotrri was forced to defend her Darlington-based firm, House of Zana, and its branding after the retail chain objected to her trademark application.

A public campaign in support of the independent business received support from across the world as Mrs Kotrri argued there was no similarity to ZARA’s brand name. The dispute was heard at the tribunal after she refused a written request from Zara to change her branding last year.

ZARA argued there was a risk "consumers will misread, mishear, mispronounce and/or otherwise perceive House of Zana as ZARA" and that the brand name "dilutes the distinctiveness and reputation the ZARA brand".

Read more: Darlington's House of Zana and ZARA in court over branding

It argued that there are distinctive visual and oral similarities between the two brands, while shoppers will also assume the Darlington-based firm is part of the global chain.

But after months of uncertainty and a threat of having to pay significant legal costs, Mrs Kotrri received the news on Sunday that she had won the case. 

In a post on social media, she said: "We did it!!! Thank you to everyone for all your support.

"All the kind words of strength, those who signed our petition, shared the news and to all the news outlets who covered this story.

"You all gave me the courage needed to take on fashion giants zara and I will be forever grateful for you all.

"WE WON!! With so much love from Amber xxx"

The Northern Echo: Darlington boutique fashion owner Amber Kotrri wins court battle against ZARADarlington boutique fashion owner Amber Kotrri wins court battle against ZARA

Responding to the judgement, a spokeswoman for Inditex, the parent company of Zara, said: "While we do not wish to comment on the judgment itself, we continue to wish Ms Kotrri and her business success in the future."

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