Designers are known for drawing inspiration from one and other from time to time, but once in awhile a label can go too far, with the end result resembling an almost exact copy of another designer's creation. That's Danner Footwear's current source of contention. The brand, established in 1932, has been producing combat-style boots since then.

Rag & Bone, whose designers Marcus Wainwright and David Neville established the brand in 2002 with the aim of 'making clothes that they and their friends would love to wear everyday,' have seemed to have found their niche with clothes and accessories until now. The label has been accused of copying Danner Footwear's combat boot and are now facing a copyright infringement lawsuit as a result. The boots, which share a striking resemblance to those of Danner's, had previously been sold in stores and online at Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York, but have since been removed following the mention of the lawsuit.

Danner's Footwear has commenced proceedings against Rag & Bone and has now named Saks and Barneys as co-defendants in the suit, with the hope of obtaining an injunction, recovery of lost profits, legal fees and other unspecified damages in the action. Only time will tell if their suit will be successful, but given the similarity between the two designs, including shape, colour and stitch detail, it is speculated that the court will deem Rag & Bone's version a copy of Danner's. Though even if Danner's are not successful, this case serves as a reminder to all designers to 'copy with care' in the future, to avoid landing themselves in such a predicament.