Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Louis Vuitton Sues City Chain
Read on! I really find the lawsuit ridiculous! What do U think? Credits: FASHIONPHILE on Louis Vuitton
City Chain's watch features a floral design which LV says is similar to its trademarked motif."LEADING luxury and fashion goods company Louis Vuitton has sued watch retailer City Chain in the High Court for trademark infringement.Louis Vuitton, known popularly as LV, is taking issue with a series of watches being sold by City Chain under its Solvil brand.LV says the watches have a floral design similar to its trademarked motif - a flower with four pointed petals. Not only does this create confusion for the consumer, selling lookalike watches in the mass market will also damage LV's image of exclusivity and dilute its market, it says.City Chain is contesting LV's suit, which seeks a court order for the retail chain to stop selling the watches.In his opening statement yesterday, LV lawyer Wong Siew Hong delved into the history of the brand, founded in 1856, to show that it enjoys 'tremendous and valuable goodwill and reputation' in its name and products. That goodwill rests in its trademarks, he said.Apart from the famous 'LV' monogram, its three other graphical motifs are registered as trademarks in Singapore and around the world.Launched in 2002, LV watches have been sold here since 2004.Last year, LV obtained search warrants and raided four City Chain outlets in Singapore to seize the watches. The same watches are sold in China and Malaysia.Mr Wong argued that the prominent floral designs on the Solvil watches are similar, if not identical, to those on LV watches. Unwary members of the public may think the watches come from LV, especially with the small typeface of the 'Solvil' name on them.He said that LV products are intended to be exclusive. Selling in the mass market, as City Chain does, would damage its image of exclusivity, causing LV's existing customers to turn away, he said.But City Chain, represented by Lee and Lee, argues that the floral designs on its watches are not similar to LV's marks.It says it is using the designs not as trademarks, but merely as decorative elements; the trademark 'Solvil' is clearly indicated on its watches.Moreover, the prices of Solvil watches are different from LV's watches; its customer base is also different from LV's.LV has also launched criminal proceedings against City Chain, which has applied to quash the search warrants and effectively dismiss the criminal charges.This will be heard after the civil suit."Source: The Straits TimesRegards,Niz
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