Christian Louboutin has won the exclusive right to red soles
The famous shoe designer has finally won a multi-year lawsuit for the right to red shoe soles. The Court of the European Union confirmed that the red color can be a trademark.
The trials began in 2012. Then Louboutin sued a rival firm Van Haren for selling women's high-heeled shoes with scarlet soles.
In accordance with EU legislation, "the form of a product that adds significant value to it" cannot be considered an element of a trademark. Representatives of Van Haren argued that the use of red soles in shoes complies with this law, therefore Louboutin cannot have an exclusive right to them.
However, the Hague Court ruled that the red sole is a trademark of Louboutin, and demanded that Van Haren shoes with a scarlet sole be withdrawn from sale. In 2014, Van Haren filed an appeal to the European Court of Justice. As a result, the Dutch company lost the court and the right to the red sole was given to Louboutin.
In 1993, designer Christian Louboutin developed a branded model of pumps with a scarlet sole. The designer said that he was happy to accept the court's decision.