It was a David and Goliath trademark dispute which pitted a small family business against the fashion giant Louis Vuitton.
L V Bespoke, a Reepham-based business which sells handmade home and garden products, has won an extraordinary two-year legal battle with the world’s most valuable fashion brand, Louis Vuitton.
Owners Lawrence and Victoria Osborne started L V Bespoke from their home workshop during the pandemic, but soon found themselves at a high-profile tribunal with the fashion powerhouse after trying to register their business as a trademark in December 2021.
Louis Vuitton, which owns the famous interlocking L and V trademark, claimed the Osbornes’ use of the ‘L V’ initials could cause the public to make a mental link to their brand, allowing L V Bespoke to gain an unfair advantage.
Lawyers of the French fashion house also claimed at the tribunal hearing in July last year that the similarities could dilute the distinctiveness of the Louis Vuitton brand and risk damaging its reputation.
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Alongside the L V Bespoke name, the Osbornes’ trademark application also related to metal plant supports, which Louis Vuitton said fell into a category it owned exclusive rights to under its registered trademark.
The category includes common metals and their alloys and metal components for leatherware, which relates to closure systems, plates, locks, padlocks, handles, buckles and button handles.
But the Osbornes have said “common sense has finally prevailed” after it was ruled that Louis Vuitton’s trademark appeal failed on all grounds.
“It’s a great way to start the new year and we can finally wholeheartedly embrace the branding of our business,” Mrs Osborne said.
“To not have the worry of having to rebrand or rescope our business is a huge relief.
“We’ve had the handbrake on our business for the last six months awaiting this decision, so it's been a long time coming.
“It's been challenging both mentally and financially. Mentally it’s been hugely challenging for us as a family not knowing whether or not we can continue to grow our business with the presence and identity that we already have.
“Everything has come as a huge relief and I hope the next six months aren’t as challenging as what the last have been awaiting this decision so we can finally move forward.”
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The trademark tussle has cost the family up to £15,000 in legal fees.
The decision ordered Louis Vuitton to pay £4,000 in compensation towards the costs.
“It’s just a fraction of our outlay, but we’re pleased to receive some compensation to offset it against the expense that we’ve had,” Mrs Osborne said.
“But you can’t put a measure on your own cost of time. That’s without a measure of what a disadvantage we’ve been at over the last two years as a result of not being able to future-proof our business and grow it with the intention we had all because of the worry and fear that the trademark and identity of the business we would possibly have to change.
"I'd like Louis Vuitton to recognise what they've put a small, independent business through.
"It's unfair and it's cost us a lot of money. I imagine it has cost them a lot of money as well, but they have the power and wealth to throw at it.
"But at the end of the day common sense has prevailed thankfully and the outcome is what we all hoped for.
"I'm glad to say we stood up to these corporate bullies and we can be the true winners of this David and Goliath battle."
Louis Vuitton was asked to comment on the case.
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