(Paris) The brand Louis Vuitton Malletier of the luxury group LVMH was condemned at the beginning of March to pay more than 800,000 euros in damages to a designer for having used a clasp of its creation without her authorization.
Posted at 1:06 p.m.
The case began in 1987, according to the judgment of the Paris Court of Appeal consulted by AFP and confirming information from the Chained Duck.
Jocelyne Imbert, independent designer, signs a contract with Louis Vuitton Malletier (LVM) for a clasp of her “LV revolving” creation and a line of bags.
In 1992, Louis Vuitton Malletier bought the rights to the line of bags and the clasp. For the latter, a condition is added to the contract: if a new range of bags uses the “rotating LV”, the designer receives a lump sum of 517,689 francs.
In 2014, Jocelyne Imbert discovered that her clasp was being used on the Twist bag range without LVM informing her. His lawyer then claims the sum of 111,575 euros, equivalent to the 517,689 francs of the contract “increased due to monetary erosion”.
LVM sends a check for 79,853 euros which the designer refuses, especially since she noticed that the brand also uses the clasp on the range of Go bags as well as on wallets while the agreement provided for a use only on bags.
In March 2017, she sued LVM for counterfeiting and discovered that the “rotating LV” is also used for bracelets, shoes, belts, key rings.
Between July 2010 and the first quarter of 2017, sales of these products represented nearly 3.5 billion euros excluding tax.
Jocelyne Imbert, dismissed from her claims at first instance, appealed.
On March 13, the Paris Court of Appeal sentenced Louis Vuitton Malletier to “700,000 euros in damages for the use without authorization of the “rotating LV” on wallets, bracelets, shoes, belts and key ring” and 133,088 euros excluding VAT “in application of the contract” of 1992, for its use on Twist and Go bags.
Contacted by AFP, Louis Vuitton “firmly disputes the facts alleged against it by some”.
“The house has always respected the clauses of the contract which binds it to an artist who designed a clasp, as recognized by the Paris court and as evidenced by the rejection of numerous requests from the latter by the Court of Appeal” , assures Louis Vuitton who confirms to appeal in cassation.
Louis Vuitton is the flagship brand of the world leader in luxury LVMH, which generated 64.2 billion euros in sales in 2021.