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Christian Louboutin has been granted the right to protect his signature red sole as a trademark by an EU court. The decision comes as a great relief to the French shoemaker who has been embroiled in legal proceedings with Dutch shoemaker Van Haren.

The dispute centered on whether Louboutin’s trademark was based on a shape or a color. Louboutin took Van to a Netherlands court in 2012 after Van Haren sold similar red-soled shoes. Van Haren had then approached the EU court citing European regulations that shapes by themselves cannot be registered as trademarks. Louboutin, however, argued that the using a colour in a certain position can in fact be registered as a trademark.

The Parisian designer’s firm was enormously pleased that its trademark was found ‘valid and enforceable’ by EU, adding, “Louboutin will be able to protect a life’s work as the same is embodied in the red sole found on his women’s luxury shoes. Maison Christian Louboutin warmly welcomes this judgement.”

 

 

Victoria Beckham spotted wearing Christian Louboutin

 

Christian Louboutin, whose luxury, red-soled shoes are worn by celebrities such as Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss and Sarah Jessica Parker,has previously also won a similar case against Yves Saint Laurent.

The Haute Team

This article is written by one of our competent team members.