Whether colors and designs placed on useful or functional objects are protected under the Copyright Act is one of the more troublesome issues in copyright law. Tackling this legal fine line, the Western District of Tennessee recently found that cheerleading uniforms featuring geometric, color and other design elements are not copyrightable. Varsity Brands, Inc. (Varsity) is one of the largest designers and manufacturers of cheerleading and dance uniforms. In Varsity Brands, Inc., et al. v. Star Athletica, LLC, 10 Civ. 2508 (W.D. Tenn. March 1, 2014), Judge Cleland found that the designs and colors placed on cheerleading uniforms produced and designed by Varsity, which Varsity alleged were infringed by Star Athletica, LLC (Star), could not be conceptually or physically separated from the cheerleading uniforms themselves because such designs and colors were at the core of "cheerleading-uniform-ness." As a result, Judge Cleland held that even though Varsity held copyright registrations for the designs at issue, it could not maintain its claims against Star for copyright infringement.
As Judge Cleland recognized, "[c]lothing possesses both utilitarian and aesthetic value." If a design "'can be identified separately from, and is capable of existing independently of, the utilitarian aspects'" of the clothing, the design may be copyrightable. But when the design is not separable from its utilitarian function, it will not be copyrightable. Noting that there is "considerable disagreement regarding the proper standard to apply when considering whether the elements of protectable [pictorial, graphic and sculptural works] are separable from their utilitarian function," Judge Cleland based his analysis on two key clauses found in 17 U.S.C. §101: first, "whether the court can conceive of the allegedly copyrightable features as separate from the utilitarian article" (i.e., conceptual separability), and second, whether the design can "exist independently of the utilitarian article" (i.e., physical separability).
With respect to conceptual separability, Judge Cleland found that the uniform designs, which included combinations of braids, chevrons and stripes, did not "invoke any concept other than that of clothing," especially since the copyrighted design sketches depicted the designs on the uniforms worn by cheerleaders. In other words, "a cheerleading uniform is 'a garment specifically meant to cover the body in an attractive way for a special occasion" and "[t]he artistic judgment that is exercised applying stripes, patters, and chevrons, 'does not invoke in the viewer a concept other than that of clothing.'" Id. The court noted in particular that without the colors and designs, a cheerleading uniform ceases to be recognized as a cheerleading uniform, and that the designs actually made the garments into utilitarian uniforms. Accordingly, Judge Cleland found that the designs of the cheerleading uniforms merged with their utilitarian function.
Turning to physical separability, Judge Cleland similarly found that "removing the lines, patterns, and chevrons from the [cheerleading uniforms] and placing them on a different canvas [did] not remove their association as cheerleading uniforms" since the "fabric evokes the image and concept of a cheerleading uniform." In other words, the designs could not exist independently of the uniforms.
Since he found that the designs were not conceptually or
physically separable from the utilitarian aspect of the uniforms,
Judge Cleland held that the designs were not copyrightable and
granted Star's motion for summary judgment, dismissing
Varsity's claims.
Judge Cleland's decision is significant because it shows that
even copyrighted designs will not be protected if the designs are
not "separable" from their functions. Yet how to assess
such "separability" remains a challenge for courts. For
example, if school logos and other designs were used not only on
cheerleader uniforms, but also on school signage, pennants and the
like, those designs could be viewed as "separable" as
they would not be limited to use on cheerleader uniforms to define
such garments as utilitarian uniforms.
The decision will surely upset fashion designers and the entire uniform industry, which may be left with scant copyright protections, and may be troublesome to some copyright practitioners as well.
The decision:Varsity cheerleader decision.pdf
Originally published in New York State Bar Association EASL Blog.
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