Christian Louboutin Loses Red Soles Case
Designer shoe label Christian Louboutin has lost the rights to claim exclusivity over its self-trademarked red soles in a court case on Wednesday.
U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero ruled that despite the infamous red soles being an identifying characteristic of a Christian Louboutin shoe, there is no reason why other labels cannot use the color as well.
Admitting he was a fan of the crimson soled shoes during the proceedings, Marrero further explained that due to the nature of the fashion industry, no one brand can have exclusive rights to a color.
“Because in the fashion industry color serves ornamental and aesthetic functions vital to robust competition, the court finds that Louboutin is unlikely to be able to prove that its red outsole brand is entitled to trademark protection,” said Marrero, who revealed himself as an ardent admirer of the sexy slip-ons.
The ruling comes with benefit to rival Yves Saint Laurent, whom Louboutin had filed a million dollar suit against, claiming, “Trade Mark infringement, unfair competition and false designation of origin.”
The brand petitioned that four shoes in YSL’s 2011 Cruise collection have red soles, which customers might confuse for Louboutins.
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