Louis Vuitton v. Lee Vanz: Sellers Undertake To Pay 1 Lakhs Litigation Cost To French Company In Trademark Infringement Suit Over Sale Of Footwear Using LV Logo

In order to bring closure to a trademark infringement suit filed by Louis Vuitton Malletier over sale of footwear using LV logo under the name 'Lee Vanz' in buckles, two sellers have undertaken before Delhi High Court to pay litigation cost of Rs. 1 lakh to famous french company in instalments.

Justice Pratibha M Singh was also informed by the sellers namely Bilal Khan and Javed Khan, operating two outlets in Agra, that they will not to use the 'LV Logo' or any other marks registered in favour of Louis Vuitton Malletier.

On the other hand, Louis Vuitton Malletier apprised the Court that it has no objection with the defendant sellers using the mark 'Lee Vanz' so long as its abbreviated version 'LV' of the `LV logo' is not used.

The Court thus said that the amount of Rs. 1 lakhs shall be paid in five equal instalments of Rs.20,000 per month by 15th January 2023.

The Court had previously appointed Local Commissioners, who had visited the premises of the sellers in Agra and seized the goods bearing the 'LV Logo'. The total seizure effected was to the tune of 343 pairs of footwear.

The sellers agreed to produce the said goods same before counsel for Louis Vuitton Malletier on 15th September, 2022 so that the 'LV buckles' could be removed from the same and the footwear can be returned to the sellers be dealt with individually.

"In view of the statements made before the Court today and the agreement arrived at between the parties, the suit shall stand decreed in terms of paragraph 53 (a), (b) and (c) of the plaint," the Court ordered.

The suit was filed against the sellers seeking a permanent & mandatory injunction over sale of footwear bearing the 'LV Logo' as well as using the 'LV Logo' under the name 'Lee Vanz' in the form of buckles on their footwear.

It was the case of Louis Vuitton Malletier that 'LOUIS VUITTON' marks along with its distinctive floral pattern and logos were its exclusive marks, thereby alleging trademark infringement.

Title: LOUIS VUITTON MALLETIER v. JAVED KHAN & ORS.

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