Louis Vuitton sues rival handbag producer

04/06/2004

Italian luxury goods maker, Louis Vuitton, has filed a lawsuit against US bag, apparel and accessory producer, Dooney & Bourke, accusing the company of copying the design of its best selling Murakami leather handbag.

 

Louis Vuitton parent company, LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), said this is the fourth lawsuit it had filed this year to protect the design, which was created by Japanese artist, Takashi Murakami.

 

LVMH has not accused the company of counterfeiting, a federal charge which can results in a custodial sentence, but rather of trademark infringement which carries civil penalties.

 

To win the case, LVMH must prove that consumers are likely to confuse the Dooney & Bourke bag, which was created in conjunction with Teen Vogue, with its Louis Vuitton version.