A copyright infringement lawsuit gone wrong has left Chanel as a bit of a laughing stock.
In fashion, logos are iconic, and the French brand was not happy at what it perceived to be marked similarities between its own logo, and the one Huawei unveiled for its new computer software in 2017.
The designs both feature interlocking curves — for Chanel, two C’s presented horizontally, and for Huawei, an “H” design, displayed vertically.
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On a base level, the two designs shared some similarities. However, Europe’s top courts were not swayed.
In 2019, Chanel’s appeal was dismissed on the grounds that the logos were not similar enough to cause confusion. Two days ago, the court reiterated that stance and upheld its previous decision, saying “with regard to their visual, phonetic, and conceptual aspects,” the two logos’ “visual differences are significant.”
“In particular, Chanel’s marks have more rounded curves, thicker lines, and a horizontal orientation, whereas the orientation of the Huawei mark is vertical,” the court stated.
Online, users approved of the ruling. In the face of intensifying international scrutiny, Huawei has taken on an identity in China as a homegrown brand being bullied by anti-Chinese international players.
“This one looks a little more like it,” joked one Weibo user, posting a picture of Under Armour’s interlocking “X” logo.
Cover Image: Huawei, Chanel
