The Changsha Parkson Department store in China has been ordered to cease all sales of wallets, leather belts and briefcases bearing a crocodile emblem that has been deemed a copyright infringement on the French Lacoste trademark logo.

The department store was ordered to pay $600 compensation to the French sporting brand that is particularly famous for its polo shirts bearing its famous crocodile. The goods on sale at the Chinese store were manufactured by Singapore-based Cartelo that produces leather and fashion goods and who is currently in a fierce legal battle with the French company.

Whilst Lacoste claims the logo was registered by its founder Rene Lacoste in 1933, Cartelo International claims to have designed the logo in 1947. The companies’ logos are identical but the French crocodile looks to the right whilst the other looks left.

Share this story: