A court in the eastern city of Suzhou recently ruled that the logo of the Molly Tea infringed on Louis Vuitton’s trademark monogram. The tea company must pay 10.3 million yuan ($1.5 million) to the French company.
Trademark Infringement Claims
The ruling has sparked a debate over ownership of traditional Chinese symbols. Chinese state-media and online commentators are questioning if the four-petal flower design in Louis Vuitton’s monogram is derived from patterns dating back to ancient China.
Some are accusing the company of ‘monopolizing’ traditional Chinese patterns. The judgement has been trending online in China, with many expressing frustration over a foreign brand controlling a design believed to be part of China’s cultural heritage.
LVMH, Louis Vuitton’s parent company, says the monogram was ‘inspired by neo-gothic ornamentation and the influence of Japonism.’ The company is celebrating the 130th anniversary of its monogram, which it calls a ‘universal symbol of creativity.’
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
