Harris-Zara tweed wars end in peace

A DISPUTE between the Harris Tweed Authority and fashion retailer Zara has been settled amicably out of court.

Two months ago, the authority – custodian of the Orb trademark for hand-woven cloth in the Outer Hebrides – threatened legal action against ITX Fashion, the internet trading arm of the retailer, after learning the company was selling a product described as a “Harris Tweed blazer”.

The authority argued that, as the product was not made from Harris Tweed, ITX had contravened the Harris Tweed Act 1993, and various trademarks.

The act defines Harris Tweed as cloth that has been hand-woven by the islanders of Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra in their homes, using pure virgin wool that has been dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides.

However, it was announced yesterday that the dispute has now been amicably settled after ITX apologised and gave assurances that it will not happen again. The authority said it accepted that the incident was “not deliberate”.