LEGAL
Guess Wins Gucci Lawsuit in Italy
Los Angeles lifestyle brand Guess Inc. has won the second round in a series of trademark cases it has been battling with Gucci.
On May 2, an Italian court issued an 83-page ruling that rejected Gucci’s claim that Guess had infringed on the Italian luxury brand’s designs and logo.
In addition, the court ruled that Gucci’s diamond pattern, G logo and “Flora”-pattern trademarks registered in Italy and the European Union be cancelled and that the Guess “Quattro G-diamond” pattern is not a replica of the Gucci double-G pattern.
Gucci vowed to appeal the decision, noting that Guess’ use of G logos is “unlawful and parasitic free-riding on Gucci’s trademark and, in general, its brand image.”
This is the second time the two big-name brands have squared off in court. Last May, the two entities were in federal court in Manhattan in a similar suit. Gucci won that case in U.S. District Court. Judge Shira Scheindlin awarded Gucci $4.66 million in damages, a small portion of the $220 million the Italian company had been requesting from the Los Angeles company.
Paul Marciano, chief executive officer of Guess, said, “In my opinion, the three-year battle in New York and four years in Milan was a result of massive and unnecessary litigation that should have been easily resolved with a simple phone call, which Gucci never made.”
He added: “The tactics of Gucci are nothing less than bullying. Because of their endless resources, Gucci has been forum shopping all over the world to try and stop Guess from expanding its successful accessories business. It’s fundamentally wrong and unconscionable.”
Gucci has ongoing suits against Guess in China and France.
