Societe Guy Laroche wins lawsuit over trademark
Societe Guy Laroche wins lawsuit over trademark
JAKARTA (JP): Societe Guy Laroche, the parent company of the
famed French designer's products, has won it's day in court and
become the sole owner of the Guy Laroche trademark in Indonesia.
The Central Jakarta District Court ruled in favor of the
Societe Guy Laroche which filed two lawsuits against Indonesian
businesswoman Muljati Kusnadi, who has been selling her products
using the French designer's name and logo.
Amroos Law Consultants, the law firm which represented the
French company in the lawsuit, said that the court ruling
reflects Indonesia's commitment to protecting international
trademarks. This reflects a precedent set by Minister of Justice
Oetojo Oesman in a case involving Pierre Cardin, the famed French
fashion designer, in Jakarta last October.
The lawyers said that the decision would help to erase
Indonesia's reputation of being a safe haven for trademark
piracy.
She had apparently registered the Guy Laroche brand with the
government agency in 1977, long before the rightful owner did.
The businesswoman was not available for comment yesterday.
The lawsuits were filed against her and the Directorate of
Brand Registration at the Ministry of Justice, which allowed her
to register the brand name Guy Laroche.
In the first suit, Guy Laroche accused the woman of
registering the brand for handkerchiefs, bags, waistbands,
suitcases and leather without its consent. In the second, the
plaintiff said the woman used the trademark for waistbands on
clothing.
The logo she used was identical to the one used by Societe Guy
Laroche's products in both cases.
Guy Laroche urged the court to annul her registered logo and
issue an order stating that the plaintiff was the rightful owner
of the brand. It also urged the court to order the directorate to
obey its ruling.
All the plaintiff's demands were granted by the court, saying
that the trademark used by the woman for her goods was similar to
that of Guy Laroche.
Amroos lawyers praised the court's decision, saying that it
was a significant progress in judicial and political terms. (par)