To amend title 17, United States Code, to provide protection for fashion design.

H.R. 5055 would extend federal copyright protections to fashion designs, which are currently largely excluded from such laws because clothing is considered a "useful article." Under this bill, designers could register their original creations for a three-year period of protection, provided they apply within three months of the design being made public.

For everyday citizens, this legislation would make it illegal for retailers to sell "knock-offs" or close copies of protected clothing, handbags, and footwear. While this aims to protect the intellectual property of designers, it could also lead to higher prices for consumers and a reduction in the availability of low-cost, trend-based fashion alternatives. Additionally, the bill includes legal protections for retailers who unknowingly sell infringing products, while increasing the financial penalties for those found guilty of intentional copying.