Luxury beauty and fashion house Chanel has lost a three year European court battle with Chinese tech giant Huawei over its historic logo.
Judges sided with the telecommunications firm, which had applied for an EU trademark, but was met with opposition from the famous fashion house due to similarities in the marks’ designs.
The General Court of Luxembourg ruled last week that the marks “share some similarities but their visual differences are significant”.
In 2017, Chanel filed a notice of objection to the registration made by Huawei on the grounds that it was too much like its own label used for its cosmetics, perfumes and apparel.
The trademark logo Huawei filed for shows two linking ‘u’ letters positioned vertically, while Chanel’s consists of two curves resembling ‘c’s that are horizontal.
By the end of 2019, Chanel had had its application rejected by the courts, claiming Huawei's was not similar to Chanel’s and that confusion between the two marks was unlikely.
However, Chanel did not back down and followed the decision with an appeal to dismiss the action, which it consequently lost.
“Chanel’s marks have more rounded curves, thicker lines and a horizontal orientation, whereas the orientation of the Huawei mark is vertical,” the tribunal of judges said.
“Consequently, the General Court concludes that the marks are different.”
Cosmetics Business has reached out to Chanel for comment.
