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Manolo Blahnik in China: A Two-Decade Fight for Brand Ownership
Manolo Blahnik, the renowned luxury shoe brand, endured a long and difficult trademark dispute in China. After more than twenty years, the brand finally secured the rights to its name in 2022. The case draws attention to the challenges posed by China’s “first to file” trademark system, which prioritises the party that registers a mark…
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Our Legacy Secures Investment from LVMH Luxury Ventures to Support Expansion
Our Legacy, the Swedish brand known for its understated style, has entered a new phase with an investment from LVMH Luxury Ventures. The backing from LVMH gives Our Legacy a financial and reputational boost while allowing it to stay true to its original vision. Founded in 2005, the brand has built a strong following with…
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How Bottega Veneta’s Weave Design Became a Trademark
On September 30, 2013, Bottega Veneta, the esteemed Italian luxury brand, achieved a legal victory when the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted trademark protection for its distinctive ‘intrecciato’ weave design. This pattern, now synonymous with the brand, has become a recognizable source identifier on its own, even without the need for a logo. The…
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The Evolving Industry of Perfume: Copyright, AI, and the Future of Perfumes
Perfume is deeply connected to human experience, often triggering emotions and memories. Scents like ylang-ylang and oud can lift our spirits or transport us to distant places. Yet, despite their profound effects, perfumes remain largely unprotected by copyright law. Advances in technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), may soon change this, creating new opportunities and challenges…
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Perfume and the Law: Can the Law Keep Up with the Art of perfumery?
For centuries, perfume has been seen as less important in art and law. Often viewed as simple and lacking the depth needed for true artistic expression, perfume has historically taken a back seat to visual and auditory forms, receiving little recognition. However, this perception is rapidly changing. Today, artists are using scent to create memorable…
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Steve Madden: Just Another Intellectual Property Offender in Designer Disguise?
Steve Madden has built a billion-dollar brand on a simple idea, make high-end designs affordable by copying them. The result? Madden’s shoes and accessories look like high-end designer pieces, and that resemblance has dragged him into court time and time again. Big names like Valentino, Ganni, Dr. Martens, and Converse have lined up to protect…
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Inside Luxury M&A: Successes, Setbacks, and Regulatory Roadblocks
The luxury market, driven by both prestige and intense competition, is undergoing a wave of strategic activity through mergers and acquisitions. This article examines three recent developments: Mytheresa’s acquisition of YOOX NET-A-PORTER (YNAP), Frasers Group’s failed bid for Mulberry, and the blocked Tapestry-Capri merger. Together, these cases reflect the challenges luxury brands face in pursuing…
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Adidas and the Stripe Wars: Struggling to Draw the Line of Defense?
Adidas, the global sportswear brand, is known not just for its three stripes on the track but also for its endless courtroom battles. Over the years, Adidas has taken legal action to protect its distinctive three-stripe design, filing cases against brands across the fashion industry, from high-street fashion to luxury labels. These legal battles are…
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Dr. Martens and the Fight to Protect Its Yellow Stitching
Dr. Martens, the British footwear brand known for its durable boots and signature yellow stitching, has spent decades building a strong visual identity. Since 1960, the yellow stitching has symbolised the brand’s quality and individuality. But with growth came imitation, and with imitation, legal challenges. As Dr. Martens expanded, it found itself needing to defend…