Louboutin filed the lawsuit Thursday in federal court in Manhattan. He is seeking a court injunction against the sale of the supposed copycat shoes in the U.S. and damages of at least $1 million.
“Mr. Louboutin is the first designer to develop the idea of having red soles on women’s shoes,” the lawsuit states. Yves Saint Laurent America spokeswoman Bridget Helene said the company will not be commenting.
The suit alleges that YSL copied Louboutin’s trademarked red outer sole, which Louboutin registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 1997. But it’s unclear whether the trademark covers all red-soled shoes…… Louboutin says it also objects the YSL America selling red-sole shoes under the brand names Tribute, Palais and Woodstock. He stopped short of calling them cheap knockoffs, but noted those shoes are significantly cheaper. That’s how important the red sole is to Louboutin. For 19 years, the Parisian shoe designer has been lacquering the bottom of his stilettos with what he calls “an alluring flash of red.” Even non-fashionistas can spot a Louboutin because of its tell-tale glossy red outer sole.
A pair of Louboutin shoes can add six inches of height to a woman, forcing her to stand with her chest out, and giving the appearance that she has longer legs. They can fetch as much as $4,500, with the cheapest pair costing about $600.
We’ll see how this lawsuit plays out… STAY TUNED!!
