I've got to wonder about people. How in the heck did this designer ever fathom that her fashioning a zipper into a pin "design" would NOT be ripped off? Apparently she's trying to sue the Gap, but-first- if you ask me - it's not like people can't go to "the walmart" and make their own for $3 as opposed to this "designer" $70. In fact if you start making some for friends and family - I'm pretty sure there's nothing the designer could sue one for. Probably from a family of lawyers.
Secondly, I'm not sure I wouldn't want to be copied in this case since you'd have the industry's eye on you and it could really rocket a designer's career - I would venture to guess.