Dragons' Den winner who scooped £100,000 on the show loses High Court copyright fight against rival firm she says copied her hi-vis horseriding gear By Robert Folker Published: 06:33 EDT, 24 October 2024 | Updated: 07:08 EDT, 24 October 2024 e-mail 3 View comments A Dragons' Den winner has lost a High Court copyright fight to get her hi-vis horseriding waistcoat recognised as 'art' after claiming a rival firm copied her Nicola Fletcher, dubbed 'the queen of hi-vis', launched her company Equisafety Ltd in 2010, and in 2015 went on to scoop a £100,000 investment after offers by TV Dragons, Duncan Bannatyne and Piers Linney. But the equestrian and designer, who has worked alongside dressage Olympians Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester to create new product lines, has lost her High Court fight with fellow fashion horseriding kit manufacturers, Woof Wear Ltd. A judge said that whilst Nicola Fletcher's bright yellow riding waistcoat is 'more attractive than a builder's vest' there is not enough 'artistic craftsmanship' involved in its design for it to be protected by copyright from imitators.
Ms Fletcher claimed the rival company imitated three of her fashionable safety wear designs - a rider's hi-vis hat band, a waistcoat, and a neck band tailored for a horse. Equestrian fashion designer Nicola Fletcher - dubbed 'the queen of hi-vis' - outside London's High Court A judge said that whilst Ms Fletcher's bright yellow riding waistcoat is 'more attractive than a builder's vest' ther.
