Chanel loses trademark battle with Huawei

Chanel has lost an EU court battle over alleged similarities between its logo and the logo of Chinese tech firm Huawei.

The EU General Court in Luxemburg found that while there were similarities between the two brands’ logos, the visual differences were significant, according to BBC.

“The figurative marks at issue are not similar. The marks must be compared as applied for and registered, without altering their orientation,” the tribunal of judges said.

“In particular, Chanel’s marks have more rounded curves, thicker lines and a horizontal orientation, whereas the orientation of the Huawei mark is vertical. Consequently, the General Court concludes that the marks are different.“

The two logos in question.

The court case potentially ends a two–year legal scuffle between the two brands, after Huawei applied for EU trademark protection for its logo which Chanel opposed on the grounds it was too similar to its own branding.

The EU Intellectual Property Office dismissed the objection, which was challenged by Chanel at the General Court, which has now been dismissed. Chanel can now choose to appeal the decision, but declined to comment on the decision to BBC.

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