Bridal designer Hayley Paige acquires IP rights in landmark agreement with JLM Couture

Bridal designer and influencer Hayley Paige Gutman has reached an agreement and settled a lawsuit with dressmaker JLM Couture, putting an end to her three-and-a-half-year legal battle with her former employer.

According to a copy of the settlement agreement following JLM’s bankruptcy proceedings, Gutman has agreed to pay JLM Couture 263,000 USD to resolve the dispute.

In return, effective immediately, Hayley has acquired all of her intellectual property, including the right to use her name, trademarks, domains, and all of her prior bridal designs. She has been released from her non-compete agreement.

Bridal designer Hayley Paige Gutman settles lawsuit with JLM Couture

The designer has also been reinstated as the sole owner of her social media accounts, which include her 1 million+ follower Instagram account. Gutman said in a statement on Tuesday that she was relieved that the case had reached a "respectful" resolution. In an announcement on Instagram, she added that her case has likely set a positive legal precedent for anyone and everyone who uses social media personally and professionally.

“This agreement allows me to return to the bridal design work I love—once again under the name given to me by my parents,” said Paige Gutman in a statement. “My social media accounts have been returned to my sole control, and I have acquired sole ownership of my entire design catalogue, portfolio, and trademarks.”

“I am enchanted and humbled to hold my art; I am ecstatic and grateful for the permission to share it with the world. Amidst this change in circumstance, I want to acknowledge the new legal precedent that I hope will positively impact those who use social media both personally and professionally. I have made an Instagram announcement to share what's next for me and give heartfelt respect to the community that hung my moon in a dark time. Supporting my reinvention with "She is Cheval" shoes is what has sustained me and provided fresh steps forward. "She is Cheval" continues and will be incorporated into my next bridal business."

Hayley Paige Gutman, renowned for her appearances on "Say Yes to the Dress," began designing the "Hayley Paige" wedding dresses for New York-based JLM Couture from 2011 until 2020.

Launching its lawsuit against 2020, JLM Couture asserted that Gutman had restricted the company's access to the "Hayley Paige" social media accounts, promoted products from other companies, and breached a noncompetition agreement following the collapse of their contract negotiations.

In 2021, US District Judge Laura Swain issued a preliminary injunction granting JLM Couture control over the "Hayley Paige" social media accounts, prohibiting Gutman from using the "Hayley Paige" name in advertising and preventing her from competing with the company until the end of their contract. Following two appeals, Judge Swain ruled earlier this month that Gutman would have full control of the "Hayley Paige" social media accounts but affirmed that she could not compete with JLM Couture until the noncompetition agreement expires in 2025.

According to a recent court filing, the settlement releases Gutman from all her obligations to JLM Couture, including the non-competition agreement.

Hayley Paige Gutman was represented by intellectual property litigators Joe Lawlor, Tiffany Cooke, and Richard Rochford of Haynes Boone, as well as Rafael Zahralddin, Kevin Shaw, and Bryan Sugar of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP.