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Louis Vuitton court victory against Chinese tea chain stirs up a copyright debate
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- A Chinese court ordered local tea chain Molly Tea to pay $1.5 million to French luxury brand Louis Vuitton for trademark infringement over a four-petal flower logo.
- The ruling sparked debate in China, with state media and netizens accusing Louis Vuitton of monopolizing traditional Chinese patterns that date back centuries.
- Beijing Daily and Global Times highlighted concerns about gaps in protecting ancient Chinese heritage and expressed frustration over a foreign brand controlling culturally significant designs.
- Louis Vuitton’s monogram, created in 1896, is said by the company to be inspired by neo-gothic and Japonism influences, not Chinese motifs.
- Molly Tea plans to appeal the ruling and continues to use its flower logo despite the court decision.
