The Paris Court of First Instance has found the manufacturers, importers and distributors of the “POOPSIE POOEY PUITTON SLIME” toy guilty of trade mark infringement and parasitism.
This toy, consisting of a plastic case containing ingredients for making slime (a coloured sticky paste very popular with children), was intended as a “parodic wink” at the LOUIS VUITTON brand, using the name “PUITTON” and the colourful visuals of the famous trunk-maker’s trademarks.
On the basis of LOUIS VUITTON MALLETIER’s European Union trade marks, considered to be reputed trade marks, the Court prohibited the defendants from promoting and selling the disputed toy throughout the European Union, ordered them to recall the toys from distribution channels and destroy them, and ordered them to pay LOUIS VUITTON MALLETIER nearly €500,000 in damages.
