Nobody Google anymore? Is it a basic trademark search or incorporation too tedious to bear? Or do the teams of the big stars just realize that they can easily outshine the small independent entities, so due diligence is just heavy lifting?
We are seriously asking this because just a few weeks after the country vocal group sadly called Lady Antebellum bulldozed and intimidated a well-established blues singer in a new awakening, placing herself on the wrong side of the erase, renamed herself spontaneously as “Lady A” already in use“ Pop princess Taylor Swift found herself in a similar solution. After releasing “The Folklore”, a collection of products released in conjunction with their latest album (surprise) Folklore—The megastar was found accused of stealing from an online concept store of the African diaspora with the same name — and a logo not unlike the one promoting the new Swift brand.
Trademark in 2018, Folklore is a New York City-based retail brand featuring carefully selected apparel and accessories from across the diaspora, founded and owned by Amira Rasool. As reported by Daily women’s clothing (WWD), unlike Lady Antebellum, Swift did not hesitate to respond appropriately after being contacted by Rasool’s lawyers, removing “The” from her brand name as an immediate solution.
“Yesterday, we learned of a complaint that the specific use of the word ‘the’ before ‘folklore album’ in some of the folklore album products was cause for concern,” the Swift team wrote in a statement obtained by Good morning america. “Absolutely no merchandise using ‘the’ before the words ‘folklore album’ have been manufactured or shipped.
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“In good faith, we honor [Rasool’s] request and immediately notified all who had ordered merchandise with the word ‘the previous’ folklore album’ that they will now receive their order with the design change, ”the statement concluded.
It would seem like a quick and mutually acceptable solution, and as Rasool explained to WWD: “The main thing was to have ‘The Folklore’ when the album was called ‘Folklore’.” She also noted that she had received at least one message from a fan looking for a digital download of Swift’s album, demonstrating the confusion between the two entities. However, that confusion was likely compounded by the Swift logo, which was similar in design to Rasool’s, including the vertical placement of the aforementioned “The”. Responding preemptively to our Google question, WWD reports: “She said that if you Google ‘The Folklore’, the Rasool logo appears, and you feel like the Swift people would have seen it.”
It is true that, this is not the first time that Swift has been accused of appropriation (Even for Sincerely– if half joking), although the singer has become increasingly self-conscious and vocal about racism, in recent times. In fact, despite our many (no, seriously—Many) The criticism of the pop star in the years when Kanye did not let her finish, the singer even approached The root this June 19 to promote national recognition of the often-overlooked African-American holiday, making this public hiccup all the more disappointing.
Was it an innocent mistake? Perhaps, although Rasool told WWD “I think there is a bigger conversation to be had … Not only is it harmful to a black woman, it is with all the brands we work with.”
To be clear: Swift’s Folklore The collection features song-themed sweatshirts, t-shirts, and a cardigan, among other typical music products, while the Rasool brand includes and elevates a host of independent continent designers (a brand of its own is in its future plans). And although the business owner praises Swift for his swift action, their respective legal teams are still talking about the “next steps,” although Swift’s publicist declined to comment on the WWD story, and neither side revealed whether there is. a monetary compensation on the table.
But as predictable as Swift racking up more radio hits is the rabid response from his loyal base, rivaled only by Nicky Minaj’s Beyhive and Barbz for their pit bull-like fervor for their golden goddess. Since she dared to defend her own brand, Rasool told WWD Swift fans that they had been in the attack, “calling me a bitch and a liar,” and accusing her of making the claim only for influence.
“I think there was a lot of damage to my brand for me when speaking. I don’t think I deserved it, ”he said.
She didn’t, but online attacks on black women are unfortunately nothing new. And that’s where we come in, because we think we’ve just found a new favorite Black business to support. If the buttress resulting from the pointless assault on the black property brand The Honey Pot didn’t teach us anything, it’s that we don’t need to intimidate, because we to buy.
As described by WWD, The Folklore “features more than 30 designers from Africa and the diaspora and serves as a cultural hub for contemporary brands, artists, and artists. [creators] to show your personal stories. Most of the fashion, accessories and household items are handmade by local artisans based in South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco and the Ivory Coast. In addition to operating as an online concept store, The Folklore also offers wholesale services to African designer brands interested in penetrating the global retail market. “
Ummm … yeah, tell us all the way … and Folklore Instagram It is a great variety of inspiration, so we hope to spend a lot of time there too.
As for Swift, he has not commented publicly on the matter, he certainly prefers to leave that up to his representatives and legal team in favor of promoting his new album. As Rasool pointed out to WWD, there is irony in Swift’s fan base attacks, given the way the musician has legally advocated for him and his intellectual property in recent years.
“She stood up and defended her brands earlier,” Rasool noted, also recognizing Swift as a “strong advocate for women” on Twitter. “She is a great advocate for people who stand up and speak. To get attacked and say I’m doing this to get attention …
Don’t worry, we have you, sister.
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