Norfolk: L V Bespoke wins trademark row with Louis Vuitton

Lawrence and Victoria Osborne started L V Bespoke during lockdown in 2020

A family-run business that sells home and garden products has won a two-year trademark dispute against the fashion label Louis Vuitton.

L V Bespoke, which operates in Reepham, Norfolk, applied to register as a trademark but was met with opposition by the French brand.

Louis Vuitton said confusion caused by the "L V" lettering could create an "unfair advantage" for the business.

The tribunal rejected the claim as the firms were in "separable" areas.

Victoria Osborne, who founded L V Bespoke with her husband Lawrence in 2020, said they were "on cloud nine".

Victoria, pictured with son Lochlan, said the case has caused financial and emotional stress

The couple were awarded £4,000 in compensation after spending £15,000 in legal fees to battle the dispute.

"Common sense has prevailed given the difference in size between the two businesses. It is such a relief," Mrs Osborne told the BBC.

"We're now hoping Louis Vuitton sees it for what it is, in the sense that this never should have occurred."

Mrs Osborne, 48, started the company with her husband, 42, in their garden after they lost their income during the pandemic.

She said they took to gardening to pass the time, but found there were not enough decorative products that suited their taste.

Lawrence and Victoria have spent £15,000 in legal fees to fight the trademark dispute

They applied to trademark the business, which sells handmade garden products, in December 2021 but were soon contacted by Louis Vuitton's legal team.

The fashion house, whose CEO Bernard Arnault has the estimated net worth of about £140bn ($179bn), claimed L V Bespoke would gain an "unfair advantage" due to the public having a "mental link" with the initials and its brand.

'Absurd case'

"Over the past two years we have had to put the handbrake on our business. It has been hugely challenging," Mrs Osborne said.

"It is not just the financial and emotional stress caused by this battle - we have had to put our business plan on hold as we were not aware if we would have to rebrand or not."

Mrs Osborne said she was looking forward to growing the business after the tribunal judge, Matthew Williams, ruled in L V Bespoke's favour.

"It thought the same as us, in that it was an absurd case," she added.

"It is a huge satisfaction for us as a business and it champions other businesses to take on this fight and give them courage."

Louis Vuitton was contacted for comment.