Uncover the fashion law that every fashion business needs to know

Regardless of size and structure, every company in the fashion supply chain needs professionals to know the laws and regulations that affect their businesses.

On this two-week course from Bloomsbury Academic, you’ll learn about business law within the fashion industry, from licensing intellectual property (IP) to the numerous legal requirements of fashion companies.

Discover the business entities within the fashion industry

Taking into account the differences in legal systems across the world is vital when researching the legal and tax implications of business entities.

You’ll start by exploring the different types of business within the fashion industry, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and how a fashion business is started from a legal standpoint.

Understand the legal aspects and business law of fashion brands

Many fashion companies are involved in creating, inventing, or designing new processes and products. Laws were established to protect IP such as inventions and creations.

This course will guide you through the many complexities of business law when it comes to fashion. You’ll delve into fashion patents, trademarking, and licensing contracts, as well as the laws related to business practices, such as fair competition, environmental protection, and employment practices.

Explore international expansion and trade in the fashion world

The fashion industry is global in nature with many companies operating around the world. Within this global context are laws and regulations concerning international expansion and trade.

To finish this course, you’ll look at how fashion companies go about expanding internationally and the legal aspects of international trade, including the World Trade Organization and US and EU trade agreements.

Syllabus

Week 1
Business entities in the fashion industry
- Course welcome
  In this activity, you will be introduced to the content that will be covered during this course. You will also get an overview of the topics covered during the first week of this course.
- Sole proprietorships
  In this activity, we look at the characteristics of a sole proprietorship and learn about the advantages and disadvantages of this form of business ownership.
- Partnerships
  In this activity, we look at the characteristics of a partnership and learn about the advantages and disadvantages of this form of business ownership.
- Corporations
  In this activity, we look at the characteristics of corporations and learn about the advantages and disadvantages of this form of business ownership.
- Limited Liabilities Companies (LLCs)
  In this activity, we explore the requirements of running LLCs, as well as learn about the advantages it holds for its members.
- Comparison of business entities
  In this activity, we show you a comparison of the most common business entities, learn about entrepreneurship and start-ups as well as diversification and expansion of business entities in the fashion industry.
- Week wrap up
  In this activity, you will have the opportunity to test your knowledge of the topics covered during the week. You will also be provided with a summary of the week's learning, and some insight on what to expect in the new week.
Week 2
Legal aspects of fashion businesses
- Weekly welcome
  Moving into the second week of this course, this activity will give you an overview of the topics that will be covered during this week.
- Laws protecting fashion inventions and designs
  In this activity, we explore laws related to patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secretes.
- Fashion brand licensing
  In this activity, we explore the concepts of licensed intellectual property and the licensing contract, as well as look at the advantages and disadvantages of licensing.
- Laws related to business practices
  In this activity, we explore the federal laws relating to how a company must run its business, as well as the legal requirements concerning fair competition.
- Laws related to international expansion and trade
  In this activity, we explore the global laws and regulations concerning international expansion and trade that affect fashion companies.
- Course wrap up
  In this activity, you will have the opportunity to test your knowledge of the topics covered during the week. You will also be provided with a summary of the week's learning, and some insight into other courses in this series.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Available now
Join - $79

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Describe characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of business entities including sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and limited liability company as they relate to the fashion industry
Explain entrepreneurship in the fashion industry and the terminology related to expansion and diversification of business entities in the fashion industry
Explain the applications of laws designed to protect fashion innovations and designs
Describe the legal aspects of licensing intellectual property in the fashion industry
Explain the legal requirements of fashion companies concerning fair competition, environmental practices, consumer protection, employment practices, and supply chain transparency
Identify laws and regulations related to international expansion and trade

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in starting, running, or growing a business. It will be especially useful for those looking to better understand the legal side of the fashion industry.

Who developed the course?

Bloomsbury Publishing

Bloomsbury Publishing is a leading independent publishing house, established in 1986, with authors who have won the Nobel, Pulitzer and Booker Prizes.and is the originating publisher and custodian of the Harry Potter series. Bloomsbury has offices in London, New York, New Delhi, Oxford and Sydney. Within Bloomsbury’s Academic division, it publishes under Bloomsbury, as well as under a number of prestigious and historic imprint names.

Fairchild Books

With a history stretching back over more than 100 years, Fairchild Books is a world-leading publisher in the fields of fashion and interior design.

FutureLearn

FutureLearn is a leading social learning platform and has been providing high quality online courses for learners around the world over the last ten years.

What's included?

This is a premium course. These courses are designed for professionals from specific industries looking to learn with a smaller group of like-minded individuals.

Unlimited access to this course
Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes
Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you're eligible
Download and print your Certificate of Achievement anytime

Join - $79

Still want to know more? Check out our FAQs

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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