Rihanna Wins Topshop Court Case

Rihanna has won a court case in Britain against retailer Topshop regarding the selling of T-shirts bearing the image of the pop star without her permission.

High Court Justice Colin Birss ruled in favor of the singer on Wednesday, saying that the buyers were likely misled by believing Rihanna had approved its sale.

"I am quite satisfied that many fans of Rihanna regard her endorsement as important," the judge said in his ruling. "She is their style icon. Many will buy a product because they think she has approved of it. Others will wish to buy it because of the value of the perceived authorization itself. In both cases they will have been deceived."

Birrs also said that the sales of the T-shirt have caused a loss of control over the reputation in the fashion industry as the famous singer have been trying to be known also as a designer. Rihanna has a clothing line in her name at a rival store.

The shirts were first tagged as the "Rihanna Tank." After her grievances, the T-shirts were being sold as the "Headscarf Girl Tank" and the "Icon Tank."

Topshop's owner, Arcadia Group Brands Ltd., had reasoned that Rihanna was looking for legal recognition for a faulty assumption that only a celeb could advertise a product bearing his or her image.

Topshop said it was shocked and disappointed by the ruling and was considering an appeal.

"There was no intention by Topshop to create the appearance of an endorsement or promotion," it said in a statement. "We do not believe it conveyed any false message to our customers."