Articles
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BurberryBeauty.com Case: A Timeless Lesson in Brand Protection
Burberry, renowned for its iconic trench coats and signature check pattern, successfully reclaimed the domain burberrybeauty.com through a UDRP proceeding. This outcome at the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Centre shows Burberry’s commitment to safeguarding its trademark and maintaining its brand identity in the digital space. This case shows Burberry’s strategy of protecting its trademark rights…
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Charlotte Tilbury vs Aldi: Copyright Dispute Over Beauty Palette
Charlotte Tilbury, known for its luxury makeup and skincare, has secured a decisive legal victory against Aldi. The brand, celebrated for its premium products and glamorous aesthetic, took Aldi to court over claims of copyright infringement. The dispute centred on Aldi’s imitation of Charlotte Tilbury’s iconic Filmstar Bronze and Glow palette. The court ruled that…
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Dunhill Prevails in Trademark Dispute Against Danhuoli in China
Dunhill has secured a decisive ruling in China against Danhuoli, a company found guilty of trademark infringement and unfair competition. The Foshan Intermediate People’s Court ordered Danhuoli to pay RMB 10 million (approximately $1.47 million USD) in damages. The ruling is a strong signal that China’s intellectual property enforcement is tightening, particularly for foreign luxury…
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The Ritz-Carlton Fined $535,000 for Hazardous Waste Violations in California
Environmental regulations have long been non-negotiable, and luxury hotel brands are no exception. In 2022, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, renowned for its high-end accommodations, faced a $535,000 civil penalty for mishandling hazardous waste across its eight California properties, including its Rancho Mirage location in Riverside County. Court Judgment Highlights Mismanagement A judgment issued by the…
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Ferrari vs. Philipp Plein: The Price of Trademark Missteps
Ferrari has made its position unmistakable: its trademarks are not open to reinterpretation. A dispute involving Philipp Plein’s unauthorised use of Ferrari’s trademarks has led to significant penalties, drawing attention from the fashion and automotive industries. Rulings by Italian courts highlight the serious consequences of misusing trademarks, particularly those tied to luxury brands. The Instagram…
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Piaget’s Timely Action: Securing the Brand One Domain at a Time
Piaget, the Swiss luxury brand renowned for its high-end watches and jewellery, faced a domain name dispute involving the protection of its trademark. The conflict centered on two domain names, piagetwatch(dot)com and piagetwatches(dot)com, which were deemed confusingly similar to the Piaget trademark. The Complaint Richemont, the Swiss luxury group behind Piaget, alleged that the domain…
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Montblanc’s Fight to Protect Its Name: The Case of the Counterfeit Pens
Counterfeit products have plagued luxury brands for decades, threatening their reputation and customer trust. In one such case, Montblanc, the renowned German manufacturer of luxury writing instruments, successfully defended its trademark rights against a group of counterfeiters operating under the guise of a legitimate e-commerce platform. The Case at Hand Montblanc, a German brand known…
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ISSEY MIYAKE’s BAO BAO Bag Protected by Tokyo Court in Design Dispute
The Tokyo District Court has ruled in favour of ISSEY MIYAKE in a dispute concerning the well-known BAO BAO bag, awarding damages of JPY 71 million (approximately USD 49,500) against Largu Co., Ltd. The case confirms a clear legal position in Japan: creative design, once commercially distinctive, is protectable under the Unfair Competition Prevention Act.…
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Levi’s Blank Tab: The Subtle Art of Trademark Protection
Levi’s Blank Tab, one of the most frequently copied trademarks in the world! Levi Strauss & Co. has built its reputation on durable denim and innovative branding. Central to this legacy is the trademarked Tab, a small but very important element of the Levi’s brand. Today, we are discussing the blank Tab or plain tab…
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Gucci vs Guess Dispute: From Lawsuit to Resolution
The gucci vs guess trademark dispute offers a clear view of the challenges involved in protecting brand identity in fashion. What began with Gucci’s decision to take legal action over the alleged imitation of its distinctive design features developed into a prolonged conflict across multiple jurisdictions. While Gucci secured favourable rulings in some courts, the…