Pop star Katy Perry called an Australian fashion designer a 'dumb b****' after she sought publicity over their trademark dispute, a court has been told.
In place of the American superstar giving evidence in the NSW Federal Court on Wednesday was her manager Steven Jensen from Los Angeles.
Sydney-based designer Katie Jane Taylor - nee Katie Perry - is suing the American singer-songwriter for allegedly infringing on her trademark.
Perry, legally known as Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, is defending the case and has launched a cross-claim to have Ms Taylor's trademark cancelled.
In 2009 Ms Taylor sought press coverage in Australia after she was sent legal threats on the singer's behalf.
Pop star Katy Perry (pictured) labelled leading Australian fashion designer Katie Perry a 'dumb b****' in a series of emails, a court has heard
Sydney-based designer Katie Jane Taylor - nee Katie Perry (pictured) - is suing the American singer-songwriter for allegedly infringing on her trademark
The pop star then sent an email to her manager referring to her as a 'dumb bitch,' the court was told.
Christian Dimitriadis SC asked Mr Jensen if this was reference to her personally.
'Katy Perry's an artist. Artists are emotional people. Emotions are what drives their talent. It was an emotional response not directed at Ms Taylor,' he said.
'It was a reference to the situation, Ms Taylor happened to be part of that situation, Katy Perry was upset Ms Taylor was looking to seek publicity through this situation.'
But he admitted another subsequent email, in which the singer says 'this bitch won't stop,' referencing further publicity Ms Taylor had gained, was a direct
