We have adopted a "zero tolerance" policy and have put in place a comprehensive program to deal not only with websites offering fake Christian Louboutin® products, but the sources thereof, the distribution systems, the auction sites and other avenues of trade in the fake products.
Keep in mind that when something looks too good to be true, that's usually what it is worth. Websites selling very low priced Louboutin® looking shoes (so called “Cheap Louboutin” or “Louboutin Outlet”) are probably not selling the real thing.
Use good sense. Protect yourself. Buy via our authorized retailers.
Check out our website www.christianlouboutin.com
Beware of websites which are using the following keywords :
- Cheap Louboutin
- Christian Louboutin Sales
- Louboutin Outlet
Numerous websites are selling shoes which illegally infringe our Intellectual Property rights. Even if we initiate various actions in order to limit their number, websites appear and disappear every day. The below search engine is thus at your disposal.
The protection of Christian Louboutin’s red sole trademark is strengthened by the European Court of Justice.
The European Court of Justice confirms that the legal regime governing shape trademarks does not apply to Christian Louboutin’s ‘red sole’ mark.
The red color applied on the sole of a woman's high heel shoe is a position mark, as Maison Christian Louboutin has maintained for many years. Maison Christian Louboutin warmly welcomes this judgement.
The shoes of Maison Christian Louboutin stand out through their originality, the choice of materials used and the quality of their creation. For 26 years, the red sole has enabled the public to attribute the origin of the shoe to its creator, Christian Louboutin.
This case will now be referred back to The Hague Court which is expected to confirm the validity of the red sole trademark.
This decision follows a cancelation action initiated by a French company which offered shoes with a red sole for sale.
In a first instance judgment from 16th March 2017, the Paris District Court had already ruled in favor of Christian Louboutin, by confirming the validity of his trademark.
With this recent decision, the Court of Appeal confirms that the application of the color red to the sole of a high heeled shoe is protectable under trademark law. It thus supports the arguments that Christian Louboutin has been advocating for several years and acknowledges the exclusive nature of this signature red sole which enables the public to identify its creator.
- Undertaking not to infringe our Red Sole trademark,
- Destruction of the existing stocks.
Online auctions and classifieds
We monitor dozens of platforms worldwide and take down auctions and classifieds offering fake Christian Louboutin® goods for sale on a daily basis.
Search engines
We work closely with Police forces, alongside with Google, Bing, Yahoo! and others to identify sellers of fake Christian Louboutin® shoes. Our program has already taken down thousands of websites, adverts, both sponsored and unsponsored links, eventually redirecting Internet users to sellers of counterfeits.
Hosting and technical providers
Our program uses our IP rights - especially Copyright Law - to get hosting providers shut down websites stored on their servers which we identify as selling fake products and violating our IP rights. We have compliance in large measure in many countries, stretching from the United States to Panama, Korea, Japan and China.
Domain name and udrp procedures
When we find a website that keeps coming back, we file actions seeking a formal cancellation of its domain name or other similar action with the various bodies that, by international agreement, have the authority to literally wipe a site’s web address off the books, or force a domain name registrar to do so.
Blogs and other social media
The bad guys are clever: they use blogs that really are just another way to lead Internet users to websites selling fake goods. We take them down. We also monitor social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram or Pinterest, where counterfeit dealers try to sell their merchandise. When we discover such profiles, we get them removed.
Customs
Our trademarks are registered with Customs services throughout the world. Those services are supported through constant training and dialogue with our Counsels and ourselves. Collaborations follow.
Investigations
We maintain a large number of field investigators around the globe who follow up on all information we receive regarding those who sell fake Christian Louboutin® products. The investigators turn information over to our Counsels who, under our direction, act on it.
Raids
A comprehensive program has been implemented. Our field investigators monitor markets, factories, warehouses and wholesale stores. When they uncover such places manufacturing, storing and/or selling counterfeit goods, the appropriate authorities are informed and raids are conducted. All the fake products are then seized and destroyed.
Civil actions
Depending on the size of the wrongdoer, we use all remedies available. That is everything from a cease-and-desist letter, a search-and-seize order, an order freezing the counterfeiter’s assets, to a judgment against the counterfeiter, and wherever possible we recover fake products, records and money damages.
Criminal actions
If the party appears to be one that warrants criminal action, we interface directly with law enforcement authorities in the country to seek and encourage criminal prosecution of those who sell fakes.
We always measure our resources to be sure. Not everyone gets the same response but we move against everything. This is what we mean by "Zero Tolerance." No one should believe because they are relatively small they will not be found or not moved against.
To learn more about counterfeiting and its terrible effects, you may visit the following links:
On an International scale
In Europe
In France
In the United States
In Canada
Note: the above is not any recommendation or endorsement of any organization, firm, business, legal or otherwise but is meant solely as a convenience to the reader.