The Face Shop loses trademark battle with Louis Vuitton
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Korean cosmetics firm The Face Shop has lost a trademark infringement case filed against it by French luxury brand Louis Vuitton. The infringement case relates to Face Shop’s collaboration with American brand My Other Bag, known for its parodies of luxury products. LV has unsuccessfully pursued My Other Bag for damages in American courts.
Seoul’s Central District Court has ruled The Face Shop to cease trading in products featuring Louis Vuitton designs and pay KRW50 million (US$44,080) in fines.
The Face Shop failed in its defense that their products were a parody due to the low market profile of My Other Bag in Korea and the difference in how The Face Shop used LV designs compared with My Other Bag’s parody products.
Questions & Answers
Q.What was the core of Louis Vuitton’s complaint against The Face Shop?
What was the core of Louis Vuitton’s complaint against The Face Shop?
Louis Vuitton claimed trademark infringement due to The Face Shop’s collaboration with My Other Bag, which featured designs parodying luxury products like LV's.
Q.What was the outcome of the court case for The Face Shop?
What was the outcome of the court case for The Face Shop?
The Face Shop must stop selling products with Louis Vuitton designs and pay a fine of KRW50 million. Their parody defence was rejected.
Q.Why was The Face Shop’s defence of parody unsuccessful in court?
Why was The Face Shop’s defence of parody unsuccessful in court?
The court found My Other Bag had a low market profile in Korea. Also, The Face Shop's use of LV designs differed from My Other Bag’s own parody products.
Q.Has Louis Vuitton previously taken action against My Other Bag?
Has Louis Vuitton previously taken action against My Other Bag?
Yes, Louis Vuitton previously tried to sue My Other Bag for damages in American courts, but was unsuccessful in that attempt.
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