Bags / Shoes & Accessories

Recently, the Supreme People's Court ruled that the "Manolo Blahnik" trademark registered by Chinese businessman Fang Yuzhou will be revoked, representing that after 22 years of legal battles, the British designer shoe brand Manolo Blahnik can finally use his name in China. Sales Products.

This is a copyright dispute that has lasted for 22 years. It was not until June 2022 that Manolo Blahnik officially regained the right to use the trademark in mainland China, ending the expensive 22-year trademark battle.

These shoes are popular all over the world by the TV series "Sex and the City"

Manolo Blahnik opened its first store on Old Clutch Street in London in 1971, and this year turns 51. And through the TV series "Sex and the City" in the early 2000s, the shoe became a symbol of luxury and a household name, attracting countless audiences around the world, including China.

Carrie's obsession with shoes can't be overstated. Among them, the pair that refused to let go of the robbery must be Manolo Blahnik. Since then, this shoe brand that has been in the altar of the celebrity circle has entered the eyes of the Chinese.

At the end of 2017, the documentary "Manolo: the boy who made shoes for lizards" was released and caused a sensation. In the film, he introduced his shoe design career of more than 40 years, and many stars appeared to call him.

22 years, repeatedly rejected

In 1999, businessman Fang Yuzhou and his stake in Guangzhou Zhaoyue Shoes Co., Ltd. submitted an application for trademark registration of "MANOLO & BLAHNIK Manolo Bellica", of which the registered trademark No. 1387094 was approved to be used in the 25th category of "shoes", etc. On the commodity, the exclusive period is until 2030.

Although it did not officially enter the Chinese mainland for sale at the time, Manolo Blahnik quickly objected to the trademark application, but it was quickly rejected. Subsequently, Manolo Blahnik filed several lawsuits against the disputed trademarks registered by Fang Yuzhou, which were eventually dismissed one by one.

China's trademark registration follows the principle of "first come, first served". Many overseas brands have been preemptively registered trademarks by local companies before they officially entered the Chinese market, and luxury brands such as Dunhill and Zegna are victims.

When we got the call...really shed tears

Kristina Blahnik, the brand's CEO and founder's niece, said, "When we got the call...we were literally in tears."

"This is a meaningful victory for my uncle, our family and our team, and I would like to thank the Supreme People's Court of China for its thorough and careful consideration of our long-standing case," CEO Christina Braa said. Nick (Kristina Blahnik) said.

Commenting on the verdict, Blahnik, founder and creative director of the brand, said: "We are very honored and grateful for the support we have received both within and outside the Chinese and international fashion world."

Blahnik added that the company's plans for the Chinese market are at an early stage, but it hopes to start direct sales in China in the second half of next year.

Currently, Manolo Blahnik has 3 direct flagship stores in Hong Kong, China and Taiwan, China, which are located in Hong Kong Landmark, K11 MUSEA and Taipei Breeze Nanshan. In fact, as a luxury shoe brand that enjoys a high reputation in the world, Manolo Blahnik is quite late to the Asian market.