The company had initially filed a complaint with the China Trade Mark Office in 2000 when an individual registered a trademark application for “Manolo & Blahnik” for footwear.
The office had initially rejected the complaint, concluding that the evidence submitted by the brand was not enough to prove its reputation in China prior to the trademark filing, as China’s trademark system is based on a “first to file” principle.
After several case dismissals, Manolo Blahnik brought its case to the Supreme People’s Court of China in 2020, which took the case to retrial in June 2022, resulting in the brand winning its dispute.
Although the result prevents founder Manolo Blahnik from using his own name and trading to customers in China, the brand will now be able to sell its products in the country for the first time.
Blahnik said: “We are truly humbled and grateful for the support we have received in China and internationally, both from within the fashion industry and beyond.
“This generous assistance has been a significant contributing factor to this successful result. My sincere thanks to the Supreme People’s Court of China and all involved in this very long case, it’s a remarkable result. I cannot wait to return to visit the beauty and elegance of China.”
Source: Fashion United
