Eco-friendly bag designer launches authorized battle over ‘copycats’ rival

The designer of an eco-friendly buying bag admired by the Princess of Wales has launched a authorized battle in opposition to two Afghan businessmen.

Furious Natasha Courtenay-Smith, 46, has accused Nangialai and Ehsanullah Takanai of ripping off her iconic The Notting Hill Shopping luggage at Portobello Road Market.

The well-known tote bag, which is available in completely different colors, is frequently snapped up by vacationers from America to South Korea. 

Kate Middleton was gifted two of the luggage in 2015 when she visited the well-known road market. 

The Takanais have been accused of promoting related designs and name theirs The Notting Hill Shopper bag. Ms Courtenay-Smith alleges they’re making an attempt to dupe customers into believing it’s her product. 

Ms Courtenay-Smith is suing the pair on the High Court for a breach of copyright after discovering out the Takanais had been promoting what she says are copies of her luggage in January 2023. 

The Takanais deny the accusations and have lodged their very own counterclaim saying it’s ‘a banal association of phrases’.

The well-known Notting Hill buying bag, which is available in completely different colors, is frequently snapped up by vacationers from America to South Korea

Furious Natasha Courtenay-Smith, 46, (pictured) has accused Nangialai and Ehsanullah Takanai of ripping off her iconic tote luggage at Portobello Road Market

They say the brand ‘lacks the diploma of originality mandatory for defense as a creative work’.

The Telegraph stories the court docket will hear claims from the Takanias that representatives had approached The Notting Hill Bag Company in January final yr and had requested to enter into an settlement with a view to promote the luggage together with her trademark, emblem and model identify. They declare this request was refused. 

Ms Courtenay-Smith designed the cotton and jute eco bag in 2009 and it impressed the entrepreneur and former journalist to launch Biz Kids – free day by day on-line enterprise courses instructing youngsters methods to be their very own boss.

It was immortalised in a bit of paintings in 2015 to rejoice 150 years of Portobello market. 

The luggage are formally stocked in plenty of outlets and stalls alongside Portobello market. 

Ms Courtenay-Smith donates 10 per cent of her earnings to causes which promote Notting Hill and Portobello Road Market.  

In a joint assertion together with her enterprise companions Canpolat An and Taylor An, Ms Courtenay-Smith informed MailOnline: ‘While imitation is usually seen as a type of flattery, we encourage originality. 

The Takanias are accused of copying plenty of Notting Hill buying bag designs together with the unique model (proper)

Kate Middleton was gifted two Notting Hill buying luggage when she visited Potobello market in 2015

‘We merely request that others create their very own designs, reasonably than copying ours. We are each assured within the authorized standing of the Notting Hill Shopping Bag design, and dedicated to its continued mission of constructing a constructive distinction to the Portobello Road neighborhood.

‘We stay centered on the longer term, persevering with the great work that has outlined the Notting Hill Shopping Bag for greater than a decade to many extra many years to come back.

‘We recognize the eye this case has garnered and hope it highlights the significance of originality, sustainability, and neighborhood help in enterprise practices.’

The Takanias solicitors, JP Mitchell, informed The Telegraph their luggage have been on sale for plenty of years and that ‘there hasn’t been a single occasion of confusion over this era’.