Fashion designer files complaint against businessmen

MUMBAI: A leading fashion designer, locked in a legal row over copyright violation, has filed a police complaint alleging threats from a Delhi-based businessman to pay Rs 50 lakh for copying a design at a recent fashion show or face dire consequences.
In a written complaint to Mumbai Police Commissioner, fashion designer Riyaz alleged that Delhi-based Parvesh Kumar, proprietor of M/s Blue Coral and his associate Jay had telephoned him alleging that he had copied their design at a fashion show in Mumbai on May 8 and seeking compensation of Rs 50 lakh.
The complaint, filed through Riyaz's lawyer Vibhav Krishna on June 3, alleged that Parvesh and Jai had threatened to cause physical injury to the fashion designer if he did not make the payment immediately. Riyaz claimed he was a reputed fashion designer and well-known for establishing brand 'Libas'. He said Parvesh and Jai were associated with his company M/s Libas Designs Pvt Ltd and were regularly paid their dues by cheque for their work as assistance in the company's workshop.
Riyaz denied violating copyright of the design of 'lehanga choli and duppata' at the May 8 fashion show here.
Parvesh had sent Riyaz a legal notice earlier claiming that 'lehanga choli and duppatta' was his original design and copied by Riyaz at the fashion show. He also sought compensation of Rs 50 lakh from the fashion designer for copying his work.