**Fashion Nova Ordered to Pay $4.2 Million for Ripping Off Fashion Designers**
* Originally published by Elle, August 16, 2023
Fast-fashion giant Fashion Nova has been ordered by a California federal jury to pay $4.2 million to three fashion designers whose designs the company knocked off.
The jury found that Fashion Nova infringed on the copyright and trademark rights of the designers, who accused the company of stealing their designs and selling them as their own.
This is not the first time Fashion Nova has been accused of copyright infringement. In 2019, the company was sued by singer Cardi B for allegedly stealing her designs for a dress. Fashion Nova settled that case out of court for an undisclosed sum.
The latest lawsuit was filed by three designers: Patrick Virgil, Asher Levine, and Rio Uribe. The designers accused Fashion Nova of knocking off their designs for a number of garments, including dresses, tops, and jumpsuits.
In their lawsuit, the designers argued that Fashion Nova’s actions had caused them financial harm. They said that Fashion Nova’s knockoffs had reduced the value of their own designs and made it difficult for them to compete with the fast-fashion giant.
The jury agreed with the designers, finding that Fashion Nova had infringed on their copyright and trademark rights. The jury awarded the designers $4.2 million in damages.
Fashion Nova has not yet commented on the verdict.
The verdict is a significant victory for fashion designers, who have long been fighting against the rampant copyright infringement that is rampant in the fast-fashion industry.
It is also a warning to Fashion Nova and other fast-fashion companies that they cannot simply steal designs from independent designers without facing consequences.
**Additional Information:**
* Fashion Nova is a fast-fashion retailer that is known for its trendy and affordable clothing.
* The company has been criticized for its use of sweatshops and for its environmental practices.
* Fashion Nova has been sued for copyright infringement multiple times.
* The verdict in the latest case is a significant victory for fashion designers.
* It is a warning to fast-fashion companies that they cannot simply steal designs from independent designers without facing consequences..
