Sonia Edwards v Boohoo.com UK Limited & Ors

Sonia Edwards v Boohoo.com UK Limited & Ors

Design right does not subsist in Design 1; Design 2's alleged infringement was not made exactly or substantially to the design; for all designs, defendants did not copy claimant's designs; therefore, no infringement occurred.

Parties
Claimant: Sonia Edwards; Defendant: Boohoo.com UK Limited; Defendant: Prettylittlething.com; Defendant: Nasty Gal Limited; Defendant: Miss Pap UK Limited; Defendant: Debenhams Brands Ltd
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
04 September 2025
Procedural Posture
Intellectual Property Infringement / Final Judgment After Trial
Outcome
Claim dismissed in its entirety
Legal Topics
Unregistered Design Right, Design Right Subsistence, Design Right Infringement, Fashion Industry Copying
Intellectual Property Designs Unregistered Design Right Design Right Subsistence Design Right Infringement Fashion Industry Copying

Case Brief

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Parties

Sonia Edwards

Claimant

Boohoo.com UK Limited

Defendant

Prettylittlething.com

Defendant

Nasty Gal Limited

Defendant

Miss Pap UK Limited

Defendant

Debenhams Brands Ltd

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Intellectual Property Infringement / Final Judgment After Trial

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether unregistered design right subsists in the claimant's designs
  2. 2 Whether the defendants copied the claimant's designs
  3. 3 Whether the alleged infringing articles were made exactly or substantially to the claimant's designs

Ratio Decidendi

Design right does not subsist in Design 1; Design 2's alleged infringement was not made exactly or substantially to the design; for all designs, defendants did not copy claimant's designs; therefore, no infringement occurred.

Court Disposition

Claim dismissed in its entirety

Orders

  • No relief granted; parties to be heard on consequential matters on 3rd April 2025