US justices grapple with what's fashion in copyright case

Washington

THE immediate question for the justices at a Supreme Court argument on Monday was whether designs on cheerleaders' uniforms were subject to copyright protection. As the argument progressed, though, it became increasingly clear that the case raised broader issues, with vast financial consequences for the fashion industry and deep philosophical implications for how clothing signifies meaning.

"For a hundred and more years, the fashion industry has not enjoyed copyright protection," Justice Stephen Breyer said. "On the women's side, I believe, US$225 billion, at least, worth of clothes are sold every year. If suddenl…