Monsoon legal chief takes lead role in Primark design rights battle

Monsoon company secretary Rosalynde Harrison has taken a lead role advising the retailer on a claim against budget store Primark for allegedly copying its clothing.

Monsoon filed a claim in the High Court on 15 April for infringement of design rights over women's and children's clothing, including two skirts, a tropical floral swimsuit, a child's striped scarf and girls' corduroy trousers. Harrison said: "[Primark] says it's innocent, which is tricky if the clothes are the same."

Harrison, who until the date the claim was issued handled the case on her own, is being assisted by Finers Stephens Innocent partner Nicola Solomon and 7 New Square barrister and IP specialist Mark Engelman.

Primark, which is owned by Associated British Foods, has instructed Addleshaw Goddard.

Last May Primark paid Monsoon £23,000 in a settlement relating to clothing that Monsoon said were copies of its designs.

Monsoon also outsources IP matters to Bristows, while corporate work is farmed out to Berwin Leighton Paisner.

Primark did not return calls for comment. Addle-shaws declined to comment.