Key facts
- A Chinese court ordered Molly Tea to pay Louis Vuitton $1.5 million for trademark infringement.
- The court found Molly Tea's four-petal flower logo infringed on Louis Vuitton's monogram.
- The ruling has ignited a debate in China about the appropriation of traditional Chinese symbols by foreign brands.
- Louis Vuitton's monogram, designed in 1896, is described as a 'universal symbol of creativity'.
- Molly Tea, founded in 2021, intends to appeal the court's decision.
A Chinese court has ordered a local tea chain, Molly Tea, to pay French luxury brand Louis Vuitton $1.5 million for trademark infringement, sparking a debate in China over the ownership of traditional symbols. The court ruled that Molly Tea's four-petal flower logo infringed upon Louis Vuitton's 130-year-old signature monogram.
Chinese state media and online commentators have questioned whether Louis Vuitton's design is derived from ancient Chinese patterns, with some accusing the company of "monopolizing" traditional motifs. The Beijing Daily newspaper stated the ruling exposed a gap in the protection of ancient Chinese heritage, while the Global Times highlighted "widespread frustration" over a foreign brand controlling a design believed to be part of China's cultural heritage. Images comparing the Louis Vuitton monogram to patterns found on Tang Dynasty artifacts have circulated.
Louis Vuitton, which is celebrating the 130th anniversary of its monogram designed in 1896, describes it as a "universal symbol of creativity" inspired by neo-Gothic ornamentation and Japonism. Molly Tea, founded in 2021, was still displaying its logo on its website and has stated its intention to appeal the court's decision. Intellectual property disputes between Western and Chinese brands are not uncommon, with international companies sometimes prevailing in local courts.