Van Haren loses next stage in long legal battle over red soled shoes
Dutch shoe retail group Van Haren has lost its lengthy legal battle with luxury shoe group Louboutin over the use of distinctive red soles on women’s footwear.
Judges in The Hague on Wednesday upheld a European court ruling which in 2018 found in favour of the French brand which registered the red sole as a trade mark in the Benelux in 2009.
Louboutin started the legal action in 2012, when Van Haren brought out a range of shoes by actress Halle Berry which included high heeled shoes with red soles.
The French company said the shoes infringed the Louboutin trade mark and was granted a temporary injunction against the Dutch high street staple.
In 2014 the case was referred to the European court for clarification and it ruled last year, referring the case back to The Hague for its verdict.
Van Haren said in a statement it had taken note of the ruling and would decide whether or not to go to appeal.
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