Lacoste Wins 23-Year Logo Battle: Why Trademark Protection Matters

How important it is to protect a brand logo as a trademark was found out by Lacoste!

After 23 years of litigation, the Delhi High Court ruled in favour of Lacoste in its battle with Crocodile International, prohibiting its competitor from manufacturing, selling, offering for sale, advertising or using the disputed trademark in any manner that constitutes infringement of Lacoste’s trademark rights.

Although both companies had been operating on the market for decades, and Crocodile International was the earlier registrant of the complex reptile image, this did not automatically give it rights to all its variations.

The court ruled that Lacoste had priority in the use of the distinctive crocodile symbol, registered in 1983 and used before Crocodile International began using the mark in India.

Therefore, remember that it is worth monitoring and counteracting the use of similar marks that may mislead consumers or infringe your rights!