According to the company’s complaint filed with a New York federal court, Louboutin says that this is “a blatant attempt to trade off the renown of the Christian Louboutin brand”.
Louboutin claims that Vinci Leather has been manufacturing and marketing copycat products from pumps with its red sole as well as sneakers that mimic its Spiked Sneakers trade dress.
The company has asserted that Vinci’s actions amount to misleading consumers into “believing that [Vinci’s] infringing shoes are made, approved, sponsored or endorsed by Louboutin, that [Louboutin] and [Vinci] are somehow connected” and also create post-sales confusion around the source of its footwear.
As the company did not respond to Louboutin’s cease-and-desist letters, it is establishing of claims of trademark infringement, trade dress infringement, unfair competition, deceptive trade practices and design patent infringement.
As well seeking monetary damages, Louboutin is seeking injunctive relief to bar Vinci from “manufacturing, distributing, shipping, advertising, marketing, promoting, selling or otherwise offering for sale” footwear that infringes on its red sole mark, Spikes Sneakers trade dress and Loubishark patents.
The case is Christian Louboutin SAS et al v. Vinci Leather, Inc., 1:23-cv-03806 (SDNY).
Source: The Fashion Law
