Disciples of Haute

Gucci Awarded $4.66M in Trademark Infringement Suit

Friday, July 6, 2012 – Keeping you abreast since our last story on Gucci v. Guess (http://goo.gl/JUSsT), we now have a winner! After a three year legal proceeding and three week trial, Gucci America won their trademark infringement claim against Guess?, Inc. While originally seeking damages totaling $120 million, U.S. District Court Judge Shira Scheindlin awarded the Italian luxury label $4.66 million after ruling in their favor, in May 2012, on four of five trademark violations. Co-defendants named in the matter were Marc Fisher Footwear, the Max Leather Group, and Swank, Guess’ footwear and accessories licensees.

While Gucci decided to wait seven years to pursue an infringement case against Guess (which may have been why the damages awarded were so reduced from what Gucci originally sought), Patrizio Di Marco, Gucci’s president and chief executives, still praised the ruling. “We are extremely pleased with this decision, which should serve as a powerful deterrent for those who attempt to unlawfully exploit Gucci’s intellectual property rights.” The PPR-owned label has (similar) trademark infringement claims pending against Guess in China, France, and Italy.

Source: http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/5713584a-a466-11e1-a701-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1zl27YAJu