Copyright / Trademark use

[Nk007]

Hi

I am wondering if anyone would know whether customising footwear with designer brand logos is legal ? There is a trend at the moment where a lot of people are purchasing Nike air shoes and then customising the rest of the shoe with for example Diors logo or LV logo and then selling them on. I have been told by one such person that it’s allowed as being “ inspired by Dior or LV “. I would like to know if legally that is the case or not ? I thought there would be copyright or trademark issues ? Thank you

 

[obscure]

No, it would be trademark infringement and most likely also copyright infringement.... oh and probably passing off as well.

 

[Panoramix IP]

Don’t do it!!

 

[Nk007]

No, it would be trademark infringement and most likely also copyright infringement.... oh and probably passing off as well.

Thank you

 

[MBE2017]

I remember a trader telling myself the same at a huge show I was selling at, he did very well, until trading standards shut him down and confiscated all his stock, both at the show and his warehouse. He lost over £250,000 in stock, he is still waiting on the fine, but it will be over £1 million. He is likely to lose his house.

 

[obscure]

It is the sort of thing that you can get away while your business is small, but if your business is successful then the IP owners will become aware and come after you.

Worse still IP infringement is an ongoing offence, so it gets worse the longer you do it (as in the penalties become more severe). So when they do catch up to you they can take into account how long you have been doing it.

 

[Deleted member 59730]

The first people through the doors at any of the major trade fairs are the teams of trademark and copyright enforcers. They are also the last to leave on the last day. Disney used a team of 5 for the spring fair. Goodness knows how many enforcers the big brands employ.