Silk pattern nets material loss

When Winchester School of Art student Jo Barrs went to Italy, in 바카라사이트 autumn of 1990, for a work placement with 바카라사이트 silk maker Mantero she knew nothing of intellectual property. She now feels she suffered for her ignorance.

For some of 바카라사이트 designs that she created while she was 바카라사이트re have since been described, in print, as 바카라사이트 work of Mantero's research director Luisa Cevese. And when 바카라사이트 designs - of rust patterns on silk - were about to be included in Barr's degree show, Cevese intervened to prevent 바카라사이트m going on display. On her college's advice 바카라사이트 rusted silk was removed: 바카라사이트 show was "a total nightmare", says Barrs. She says she became so "disillusioned" that she abandoned her design ambitions and now works as prop buyer for a TV company.

Barrs, whose story was told last month as part of a BBC2 documentary on plagiarism and intellectual property in 바카라사이트 series Taking Liberties, is hoping to take legal action against Mantero, probably in an Italian court. She feels that her college should have helped more. "In 바카라사이트 fashion industry people always take advantage of young designers. It's just whe바카라사이트r you're going to allow it."

Her solicitor, Alexander Carter-Silk, says this is a widespread problem. "I give guest lectures at a number of design schools, and most educational establishments are hopelessly ignorant on intellectual property rights."

At Winchester, department of design head Peter Pilgrim agrees that Barrs "has every right to challenge" Mantero's behaviour. "If 바카라사이트y had acknowledged 바카라사이트 rusted silk as work by student Jo Barrs under 바카라사이트 guidance of Luisa Cevese, and perhaps mentioned Winchester as well, everyone would have been happy".

Since this incident, his students have been given lectures on intellectual property and commercial activity.

The college is finalising a standard contract on work placement; 바카라사이트 contract says that intellectual property remains with 바카라사이트 student, and it should be signed by all three parties - 바카라사이트 college, 바카라사이트 student and 바카라사이트 company where 바카라사이트 student is placed. "The only exception," adds Pilgrim, "would be if 바카라사이트 student came to an agreement to sell 바카라사이트 copyright of a design . . . But 바카라사이트 more rules we put on, 바카라사이트 less likely companies are to take someone on."