Christian Louboutin Fight to Protect Their Red Sole Trademark

“The Real McCoy”

 

 

 

 

 

Imagine creating an upscale fashion line and your competitor imitates one key element that sets your line apart from the rest.  That’s the dilemma with Christian Louboutin vs. YSL in the case of the Red Soles.

Louboutin filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against YSL because they were incorporating red soles on their shoes.

according to International Business Times Louboutin was quoted:

“For YSL and PPR Group, this might just be a legal matter, but that’s not the case for me. On the contrary, to me it is very personal: after all, this is an intrinsic part of my life and my company, which bears my name – and which I have built over the past 20 years and still independently own. This is why I had to be there in person,” Vogue quoted Louboutin saying.

Christian Louboutin was denied the order against YSL.  Which led Louboutin to file an appeal.

If Christian Louboutin are denied the right to trademark the red soles they believe that it will water down their brand.  On the other hand, there are many brands that have knock-offs however, faithful consumers could careless about a knock-off!  They want and are willing to pay for “They Real McCoy”.

On another note, considering the brand YSL has built, yet, they are willing to copy a significant trademark of another company, sounds a bit raunchy.  The time that they’re spending in court could have been spent on developing a exclusive trademark of their own.  Now, that’s what I consider watered down.

photo courtesy: Neiman Marcus