Louis Vuitton fined €800,000 for stealing a clasp

The Louis Vuitton brand, owned by the luxury group LVMH, is ordered to pay 800,000 euros for the illegal use of the clasp in its products.

Since 2014, the French brand has been creating bags and other products with a signature twist closure, which has been used without permission. In 1987, independent designer Jocelyn Imbert was contracted by Louis Vuitton Malletier (LVM) to design the LV toggle clasp. According to the agreement, the brand could use the clasp only in the manufacture of certain bags. The company agreed to pay an additional amount if it inserts a clasp in other lines of bags. In 2014, Imbert discovered that her clasp was used in the Twist line of handbags, as well as in some models of wallets, bracelets, shoes, belts and key cases without notifying the author of the invention. Her lawyer demanded payment of the amount stipulated in the contract. However, LVM sent Imbert a check for only €79,853. Insulted, Jocelyn did not accept the money, and then sued the brand.

The investigation lasted almost 5 years, during which the brand successfully profited from the sale of goods with an illegally used clasp. It was not easy to achieve justice, but in the end, Imbert's claim was satisfied. Now the company will pay her more than 800,000 euros with interest as compensation for damages.