Social media influencers and liability in the world of fashion: The Georgia Aldridge case
Overview: Rebecca Field and Lee Curtis interview Theo Barclay of 4 New Square on the recent IPEC case of Fendi Italia SRL, Loewe S.A., Christian Dior Couture S.A, Celine S.A and LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE against Rolo Fashion Limited and Georgia Aldridge regarding the sale of non-genuine branded fashion products by the social media influencer Georgia Aldridge. We delve into the facts of the case, how the enquiry as to damages was made, and some practical tips for brand owners and, indeed, influencers in the world of fashion social media influencing.Timestamps:2:39 facts of that case and the issues it dealt with7:18: how the court made that assessment in this case and some of the principles they applied?15:01 Is that a fair assessment of the judge’s position or is it more subtle than that? Should brand owners be at all concerned by such a finding?17:18 She seemed to be directly promoting products she had full knowledge were not genuine and in contrast many third-party social media influencers did not have a particularly arm’s length relationship with the promoted product. Is that a correct assessment?18:22 Are there means by which an influencer can reduce their liability in such situations?