Dunnes guilty of design copying

One of the original shirts (left) and the copy

Dunnes Stores in the Republic have been found guilty of deliberately copying designs sold by the Karen Millen chain.

The Commercial Court in Dublin found that Dunnes had copied a jumper and two shirts by the high street chain.

Karen Millen is part of the Mosaic Fashions Group. Two other brands in the group, Coast and Whistles are also taking similar actions against Dunnes.

It is not looking for damages but is seeking any profits made by Dunnes by selling the copied designs.

In a statement, Mosaic Fashions said it would give a substantial donation of any recovered money to the cancer charity, the Marie Keating foundation.

The case has been adjourned until 18 January to deal with a number of outstanding issues.