China Molly Tea’s US$1.5 million Louis Vuitton fine sparks fierce debate, customer support

A Chinese milk tea brand, Molly Tea, was ordered by a Suzhou court to pay Louis Vuitton 10.3 million yuan (US$1.5 million) for trademark infringement due to its logo closely resembling LV's monogram. The court found Molly Tea acted with "significant malicious intent" after multiple trademark applications for the design were rejected because LV had already registered it. Despite the verdict, many Chinese internet users have expressed support for Molly Tea, viewing the case as a large company bullying a smaller one and questioning why Louis Vuitton would sue a budget milk tea brand. Molly Tea intends to appeal the ruling. The company has since announced a donation of one million yuan to a typhoon-devastated city, further garnering public support.

A Chinese court ordered tea chain Molly Tea to pay Louis Vuitton $1.5 million for trademark infringement, sparking a debate in China over the ownership of traditional symbols. State media and online commentators are questioning if Louis Vuitton's 130-year-old monogram, featuring a four-petal flower, is derived from ancient Chinese patterns, with some accusing the French luxury brand of "monopolizing" cultural heritage. The court in Suzhou ruled that Molly Tea's logo infringed on Louis Vuitton's trademark. This intellectual property dispute highlights ongoing clashes between Western and Chinese brands. Molly Tea plans to appeal the ruling.

Chinese tea chain Molly Tea has been ordered by the Suzhou Intermediate People’s Court to pay Louis Vuitton US$1.5 million in damages. The ruling, made this week in Jiangsu province, China, found Molly Tea liable for trademark infringement due to its unauthorized use of a logo resembling Louis Vuitton's four-petalled floral monogram. Shenzhen-based Molly Tea is required to pay the total amount, which includes 10 million yuan for economic losses and 300,000 yuan for litigation expenses, within 10 days.