High street giant Zara is due to take an independent fashion boutique to a tribunal over claims it is an "identical brand".
The retailer has threatened legal action against Darlington-based firm House of Zana. Owner Amber Kotrri launched the clothing brand online in 2018, and opened her first store in Darlington a year later.
When she attempted to trademark the name House of Zana, she received a notice of opposition, followed by a letter from lawyers representing Zara saying the brand was "conceptually identical" to theirs, and "confusingly similar" for customers. The letter says there is a risk "consumers will misread, mishear, mispronounce and/or otherwise perceive House of Zana as Zara" and that the brand name "dilutes the distinctiveness and reputation of the Zara brand".
