UK-based footwear designer Georgina Goodman (featured in the July/August 2007 issue of World Footwear) has won a lawsuit against British footwear retailer Risk Free Retail Limited (also known as Risky) after the designer claimed that the retailer had copied one of her designs.

Under the settlement, Risky has agreed to remove more than 130 pairs of boots from its shelves and pay Ms Goodman almost £3,000 in damages and costs. Rachael Parman from Shoosmiths solicitors, which acted for Ms Goodman, said:  “This is a fantastic result for Georgina Goodman. Protecting a brand is essential to any designer if they are to flourish in such a competitive sector, and this is an excellent example of how legislation can be used to do this.  If designers don’t protect their brand and distinctive designs, then the same problem will keep occurring; the value in the brand can be rapidly diminished.”

In a nice twist to an otherwise unpleasant story, rather than destroying the shoes, Risky has also agreed to donate the ‘copied’ footwear to the charity Oxfam which will distribute the footwear to people in need in the Ukraine. Oxfam spokesman David Waugh commented: “Oxfam relies on donations to generate income for the charity, which in turn enables Oxfam’s fight against hunger, poverty and crisis to continue. Clothing, shoes and textiles donated to Oxfam help people in Third World countries, who have little or no access to such items, to restore some dignity and respect in their lives. My thanks go to Georgina Goodman for her support, it is very much appreciated.”

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