A Norfolk-based couple, Victoria and Lawrence Osborne, have emerged victorious in a dispute against luxury conglomerate LVMH, led by Bernard Arnault, the owner of renowned brands like Louis Vuitton and Dior.
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The conflict arose when the Osbornes, proprietors of a home and gardening company named L V Bespoke, faced objections from Louis Vuitton regarding the use of the name. The couple had officially registered their company's name as a trademark in 2021.
The dispute unfolded over two years, culminating in a recent ruling by Matthew Williams, a hearing officer at the Intellectual Property Office. Williams declared that Louis Vuitton's objections to the trademark had "failed on all grounds".
During the legal proceedings, Louis Vuitton argued that the Osbornes' logo could potentially lead to "consumer confusion." However, the hearing officer's decision favoured the Norfolk couple, highlighting the lack of merit in the luxury brand's objections.
Source: www.retailgazette.co.uk