AAFA

Since our Adventures in Copyright feature began five years ago, we'd venture to guess knock offs of designer goods have become even more common. And just like there isn't yet legislation preventing 14-year-olds from walking in runway shows, there isn't really legislation keeping designers from copying each other, but that doesn't mean the CFDA won't do their best to see that it doesn't happen. Back in 2010, we learned about a proposed new bill that would offer more protection to designers. Called the Innovative Design Protection and Piracy Prevention Act, it was supported by the CFDA, but not always by the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), who represent manufacturers (who may be manufacturing some of those knock-offs). However, according to WWD, the two groups have been collaborating over the past five years on finding ways to prevent design piracy even though a bill has not yet passed.