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Jacquemus Defends Its Identity: Stopping Domain Misuse
Jacquemus built its name in fashion, not for others to misuse. When unauthorised domains surfaced, attempting to exploit its brand name, Jacquemus took the fight to WIPO. The cases exposed clear bad faith registrations, with respondents either misleading consumers or sitting on domains for profit. The rulings in favour of Jacquemus made one thing clear…
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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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Ferragamo vs. Counterfeits: How Ferragamo Fights Back Against Fraud
In the world of luxury fashion, counterfeit goods are not just a nuisance; they pose a significant threat to brand integrity and consumer trust. For Salvatore Ferragamo, a brand synonymous with Italian craftsmanship and luxury, combating counterfeiters is an ongoing challenge. As counterfeit products flood the market, Ferragamo’s legal strategy reflects its firm stance on…
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Jaguar Land Rover vs. Jiangling: A Case for Protecting Automotive Design
Jaguar Land Rover has won a pivotal case against Jiangling Motors Corp., over the Landwind X7 SUV, which was found to have copied key elements of the Range Rover Evoque’s signature design. The court’s decision is more than a win for Land Rover; it highlights that originality in design is not something brands can afford…
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Fur Real? Burberry sues value chain B&M for trademark infringement
Burberry has officially launched legal action against B&M, alleging trademark infringement and claiming that B&M has misrepresented its products as associated with the renowned luxury brand. The lawsuit was filed in London’s High Court on December 2, 2024. The conflict centers on B&M’s sale of a range of pet accessories labeled “Furberry.” Burberry contends that…
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Tiffany & Co. vs. Costco: The $21 Million Dispute That Ended Quietly
With packaging and presentation drawing focus in the IP community, the resolved case between Tiffany & Co. and Costco Wholesale Corporation offers notable insights. This eight-year dispute ended with a settlement and dismissal with prejudice, preventing Tiffany from pursuing similar claims against Costco. While the settlement terms remain undisclosed, the case emphasises key aspects of…
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Christian Dior Sues Café Dior for $2 Million Over Trademark Infringement
On April 9, 2024, Christian Dior Couture filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against Café Dior, a café operating in Springfield, Massachusetts. The luxury fashion brand alleged that the café had wilfully infringed upon its trademarks by using a name strikingly similar to its own and ignoring numerous…
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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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Levi’s Strikes Again: Philipp Plein’s Tab Trademark Troubles
Levi Strauss & Co. has once again taken legal action to defend its iconic tab trademark. The denim brand has filed a lawsuit against Philipp Plein International and Philipp Plein Americas, alleging that Plein’s use of black tabs with the word “Plein” on their apparel infringes on Levi’s trademark rights. The lawsuit, filed in December…
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Walmart’s Wirkin: Is It Crossing the Line of Fashion Imitation?
The Hermes Birkin bag stands as a pinnacle of luxury, with a starting price exceeding $12,000. Far beyond being merely an expensive accessory, it represents exclusivity, attainable only by those who have built a relationship with Hermes. Prospective buyers often invest significantly in other Hermes products before receiving the opportunity to acquire a Birkin. Its…
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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 Case: The Financial Impact of Unoriginal Designs
The Tokyo District Court once again reminded us that in the fashion, innovation comes with rights. In a dispute over the iconic BAO BAO ISSEY MIYAKE bags, the Largu Co., Ltd. found out the hard way that copying is not just lazy but it’s expensive. The court awarded JPY 71 million (USD 49,500) in damages…