Christian Louboutin Sues YSL over Red Sole

Chances are that, whenever you see a woman in high heels and the flash of a red sole, she’s wearing Louboutins. Or Yves Saint Laurent, as of late. Christian Louboutin is taking YSL to court for using his trademark red sole on their shoes in what he deems a violation of copyright.

Louboutin, who came up with the idea for the iconic red sole by mere accident in 1992 when he painted a black sole in red nail polish, wants people to know that a red-soled heel is Louboutin and no other brand.

Consequently, he’s taking YSL to court for it, claiming violation of copyright and asking at least $1 million in damages, Business Week reports.

“Louboutin, based in Paris, said Yves Saint Laurent is selling shoes with red soles that are ‘virtually identical’ to its own, according to a suit filed today in federal court in Manhattan. It seeks a court injunction against the sale of the shoes and damages of at least $1 million,” the e-zine notes.

“Saint Laurent has been selling red-sole shoes under brand names such as Tribute, Palais and Woodstock at high-end fashion stores that also sell Louboutin footwear, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys New York and Bergdorf Goodman, according to the complaint,” says Business Week.

Putting a red sole on its own shoes, YSL is creating confusion and, at the same time, causing serious damage to Louboutin, the lawsuit argues.

Furthermore, Louboutin informed YSL it was acting in violation of copyright several times in the past, but the reply from the latter was every time that it had no intention of pulling the shoes off the shelves.

“Defendants’ use of a red sole on their infringing footwear threatens to mislead the public, and has impaired plaintiffs’ ability to control their reputation,” states the lawsuit.

Since a pair of Louboutin sells for anything between $400 and $4,000, it’s no wonder the designer is so upset about having YSL use his trademark red sole.