This combo image shows first lady Michelle Obama as she arrives at the Inaugural Ball in Washington on Jan. 21, 2009, left, and Jan. 21, 2013, right. Michelle Obama made it a fashion tradition Monday night, wearing a custom-made Jason Wu gown to the inaugural balls. The ruby-colored dress was a follow-up to the white gown Wu made for her four years ago when she was new to Washington, the pomp and circumstance, and the fashion press. (AP Photos/Jacquelyn Martin, Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Court in native Taiwan snubs Obama gown designer
Published: 12:26:15 AM, Wed 23 January 2013 UTC
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Judges in his native Taiwan seem unimpressed that Jason Wu has designed two inaugural gowns for U.S. first lady Michelle Obama.
Taiwan's Intellectual Property Court ruled Monday that Wu's new label "Miss Wu" could not be registered as a brand because it was not distinctive enough.
Wu is one of only several dozen Chinese surnames, and the court upheld a government trademark agency decision that "Miss Wu" was too generic. Wu claimed the label conjured the hoot of an owl, depicted on its logo.
He designed the white gown Obama wore for her husband's first inauguration in 2009. On Monday, she appeared in another of his creations, a shiny red gown with a halter top.
Wu was born in Taiwan before moving to Canada at age 9.
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