SYDNEY - AMERICAN singer Katy Perry has brought a legal action against an Australian fashion designer, demanding she close up shop.

Katie Perry, who started her Katie Perry luxury loungewear label two years ago, attempted to trademark her birth name in September last year, only to be opposed by lawyers acting for the singer and musician.

Acting for the singer, Queensland-based legal firm Fisher Adams Kelly, sent the designer a letter asking her to stop trading, reported The Australian newspaper on Tuesday.

"I got such a huge shock," Ms Katie Perry said. "It really felt like I was being intimidated and 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. I pretty much burst into tears.

"I love my business. I'm not going to give it away without a fight either. I'm not trying to become a singer. I'm not pretending to be her.

"This is my income. And it's the livelihood of my contractors as well," Ms Perry was reported as saying.

Katy Perry's record label EMI and Fisher Adams Kelly refused to comment on Monday, reported news.com.au.

The singer is expected to tour Australia in August.