Major retailer pays up in Harris Tweed dispute 16/1/13
The Harris Tweed Authority (HTA) has won an out-
It is understood the high street chain will pay a five figure sum to the HTA which complained it infringed the Harris Tweed trademark.
Though some of the famous cloth were used on two styles of jacket being sold by TK Maxx, the HTA maintained the garments were wrongly labelled as Harris Tweed.
The HTA said it considered such conduct “with the utmost seriousness.”
It said such alleged unauthorised use of the Harris Tweed name risks diluting the iconic Scottish brand.
Court proceedings were raised against TK Maxx. However, following negotiations, the HTA secured an “appropriate confidential settlement.”
Lorna Macaulay, chief executive of the Harris Tweed Authority said: “Here in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland we are a long way away from the commercial markets in which Harris Tweed is sold. We do not however let that hinder our efforts to protect our various marks registered throughout the world.
“We use the best legal advisers in the country and will pursue any individual or business who attempt to undermine what is so important and valued both by the people of the Outer Hebrides, and our customers.”
The authenticity of the cloth is protected by an act of Parliament, The Harris Tweed Act of 1993, which ensures that all cloth certified with the Harris Tweed Orb symbol complies with this definition and is genuine Harris Tweed, the world’s only commercially produced hand woven tweed.
In recent times sales of Harris Tweed have never been so buoyant. In 2012, for the first time since 1993 production output has exceeded the million metre mark. The industry which dates back centuries is vital to the modern economic, cultural and social fabric of the Western Isles employing some 250 craftsmen and women. The Harris Tweed Authority, on behalf of the islanders protect the Harris Tweed brand for the good of generations to follow.