The federal court of Manhattan has sentenced Mulberry Thai Silks to pay a million dollars to Oscar de la Renta for the violation of a licensing agreement of the “O Oscar” brand.

Oscar de la Renta Spring-Summer 2009

The American site Women’s Wear Daily revealed that the court ruled in favour of Oscar de la Renta. The designer brought proceedings against the company to show that the takeover of Mulberry Neckwear by Philips-Van Heusen in May 2008, as well the royalties not returned to De la Renta, were violations of the agreement between Mulberry Neckwear and De la Renta.

The sum of $1 million corresponds to the minimum total of royalties that Oscar de la Renta was expected to have been entitled to during the contract, previously due to run until 2012. The initial complaint from the designer was for “brand violation” and “unfair competition”, two aspects which the two parties are currently negotiating.

By Jonathan Fulwell (Source: Matthieu Guinebault)