New Balance Wins $3.8 Million USD Trademark Lawsuit Against Chinese Brand "New Barlun"
The brand’s distributor was also fined.
New Balance has just won a trademark lawsuit in China against a brand named “New Barlun,” which produces similar products as the American athletic brand.
According to the Shanghai Huangpu District Court, New Barlun’s “N” logo had violated New Balance’s trademark rights because it was both “visually and conceptually” similar to the genuine brand’s design. It also found that the Chinese brand had acted in bad faith after ignoring a previous interim injunction ordering it to cease production and manufacturing during a period which it benefitted from the similarity, and consequently reputation, from the American sportswear giant. The court’s ruling isn’t the first against New Barlun over the past year. The knockoff company had previously been found to have engaged in “unfair competition” by the Shanghai Pudong District Court, ultimately paying a fine of roughly $1.54 million USD.
On top of New Barlun, the counterfeit brand’s distributor Shanghai Lusha Fashion Co had also been found jointly liable and had to contribute roughly $15,000 USD to the total damages paid to New Balance.
“It is very encouraging that the court has once again recognized the legitimacy of New Balance’s intellectual property rights which will help ensure that our brand is safeguarded and protect our consumers’ interests,” says Dan McKinnon, senior counsel of intellectual property and global brand protection for New Balance.
Elsewhere in fashion, FACETASM and AKILA have connected for a collaborative sunglasses collection.
