A Portuguese liqueur producer is at the center of a legal dispute with the French multinational Louis Vuitton. At issue is the use of a logo with the letters “L” and “V”, which the luxury brand considers too much similar to its own recorded symbol.
According to Jornal de Notícias, Louis Vuitton advanced with a lawsuit at the Intellectual Property Court against producer André Ferreira, based in Monção, Viana do Castelo.
The purpose of the action is to contest the registration of the Portuguese brand with the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), alleging violation of intellectual property rights.
The initials and the symbol of the mountains
The small Portuguese business, named “LV – Licores do Vale”, uses a logo with the letters L and V arranged in such a way that, according to the French brand, refers to the Louis Vuitton symbol.
The Portuguese company ensures that the resemblance is mere coincidence.
André Ferreira, creator of the brand, explained to Jornal de Notícias that the drawing was conceived with the help of his girlfriend, Tânia Afonso.
“OL is of liqueurs and V Vale, was turned back to symbolizing the mountains surrounding the parish. The leaflets represent nature,” he said.
Registration with suspension
According to, the INPI even accepted the registration of the national brand.
However, the defense presented by Louis Vuitton suspended the legal effects of the registration until the case is resolved in court.
This means that the Portuguese producer, for now, will not be able to explore the brand commercially with the intended legal protection.
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“It’s just a hobby”
Despite the process, André Ferreira is surprised by the size that the case has reached.
Ensures that liqueur production is just a hobby, made regularly for local fairs and occasional sale.
“I never thought such a small thing would bother such a big mark,” he says.
Intellectual property in focus
This type of dispute is increasingly common in a context in which brand rights and logos are rigorously protected internationally.
Portuguese legislation, aligned with European norms, provides that any symbol that can generate confusion with a previously registered brand can be contested in court.
The impact on small producers
Intellectual property experts underline that small businesses should be particularly attention to the registration of brands and visual symbols.
Although unintentionally to copy, a graphic similarity with renowned brands can generate high legal processes and costs.
The case remains in court analysis, but raises questions about the limits of brand protection and the challenges that small producers face in an increasingly globalized and intellectual property market.
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