By KATHERINE HOBY
New Zealand children's clothing company Pumpkin Patch is fighting off copycats stealing its designs.
Managing director Maurice Prendergast said the company had increasing problems in New Zealand and overseas with rivals copying exclusive clothing and fabric designs.
"It has become an issue for us," Mr Prendergast said. "Over the last
18 months it has just got worse and worse."
He said that in just the past week two distinctively Pumpkin Patch designs had been spotted in major chain stores.
Advertisements had been run in two industry magazines and lawyers' letters issued to offenders.
The advertisement shows a Pumpkin Patch design, and a discount store chain design - the first from winter last year, the second from winter 2003.
They are identical.
"Which one's a fraud?" the advertisement reads. "At Pumpkin Patch we take pride in our brand and our originality ... unfortunately others seem intent on copying."
It goes on to say that legal action will be taken against retailers and manufacturers in breach of Pumpkin Patch copyright or trademark.
Mr Prendergast said several letters had been sent out to those producing or selling copycat garments. He expected responses soon and hoped it would not be necessary to take the issue to court.
Many of the fabric prints were designed for Pumpkin Patch, or purchased directly from designers - some in London and Paris. Pumpkin Patch has 20 stores in New Zealand, and 55 in Australia.
