Lacoste has emerged victorious in its trademark infringement lawsuit against the Chinese brand Cartelo. The French brand is renowned for defending its trademark in China and has previously filed suits against department stores selling counterfeit goods.
Cartelo, owned by Nanji E-Commerce, was selling apparel featuring a crocodile image similar to Lacoste’s. The main distinction lies in Lacoste’s crocodile facing right, while Cartelo’s crocodile faces left.
As reported by WWD, the Beijing Higher People’s Court reached a decision on the case earlier this year, although it wasn’t reported until recently. Cartelo has been ordered to pay Lacoste $2.05 million USD in damages and cease using the crocodile logo. The Court found that Cartelo infringed on Lacoste’s trademark rights and caused confusion in the retail market.
In a statement to WWD, Lacoste noted that the ruling “not only effectively protected Lacoste’s legitimate rights and interests but also demonstrated the firm determination of Chinese judicial authorities to protect intellectual property rights.” Despite the court ruling, Cartelo continues to sell crocodile-branded apparel in its stores, as reported by the publication.
