Katy Perry takes legal action to protect name trademark

Singer Katy Perry is taking legal action against an Australian designer to protect her stage name.

International lawyers acting on behalf of singer Katy Perry are attempting to block an Australian designer from using the same name to brand her clothing.

The latter, who was born Katie Jane Perry, applied to have her name trademarked last year and has recently opened her first store in Sydney.

Although spelled differently, Katy Perry's lawyers claim the names are too similar and insist that the singer's brand must be protected.

They have sent a cease and desist order to the designer, who occasionally uses the name Katie Howell, to prevent her from using the Katie Perry moniker to market her high-end loungewear.

Record label EMI, which counts Katy Perry as one of its artists, said in a statement that a "routine letter" had been sent to the designer.

Speaking to the Australian, she said she got a "huge shock" after receiving the document and claimed she felt "bullied into signing everything away".

"It asked me to give up the trademark, withdraw sale of my clothes, withdraw any advertising and any websites and sign that I will not in the future use a similar trademark to Katy Perry," she told the newspaper.

Katy Perry's real name is Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson. She shot to fame last year with her single I Kissed A Girl, which became a number one hit in Australia.

Some of her other popular hits include Hot N Cold and Waking Up In Vegas.

She is scheduled to tour the country later this summer, beginning with a concert in Brisbane in August and will also appear at festivals in the UK.