A fashion boutique owner hosted a town centre party to celebrate defeating a high street retailer in a legal battle over her branding.
Amber Kotrri was taken to court by multi-billion pound high street store ZARA after it launched legal action against her Darlington-based firm, House of Zana.
The global brand, which has stores right across the UK, objected to Mrs Kotrri’s trademark application and the use of the name ‘House of Zana. It claimed it is “conceptually identical” to theirs and that the average customer will likely confuse the brand with that of ZARA.
But Mrs Kotrri highlighted how her independent local business is smaller and has a different ethos to one of the high streets most popular fast fashion brands.
Read more: Owner of Darlington's House of Zana relieved after ZARA legal battle
The future of her independent boutique, which has a store on Grange Road alongside a large online following, was on the line with production of new clothing designs halted to preserve the company’s funds.
But 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.
And victory in the legal battle, the former Stockton Riverside College student said, shows that independent businesses can overcome threats from large retailers. Mrs Kotrri said she has been in contact with several other businesses around the world who have also been urged to rebrand their business or face closure.
Mrs Kotrri held a ‘celebration win party’ on Wednesday, in partnership with Darlington Borough Council, at the main stage in Darlington Town Centre. The event included food from local retailers, a fashion show, face painting, live music and a pop-up fashion boutique.
Speaking after the ruling, Mrs Kottri expressed her relief at overcoming the legal challenge, saying: “There were some days where I was adamant that ZARA would win but once I went back through all the messages of support and saw all the people who signed the petition, I thought: ‘absolutely no way’.
“I’m so glad that I’ve won for myself but also all the people who have supported me – it’s been incredible.”
Read next:
- Darlington's House of Zana wins court battle against ZARA
- See inside Darlington fashion boutique House of Zana
- Darlington House of Zana owner's stress over Zara court battle
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