Can a beverage chain infringe a luxury fashion house’s trademark even if they sell entirely different products?

In July 2026, the Suzhou Intermediate People’s Court answered with a resounding yes, ordering Chinese tea chain Molly Tea to pay RMB 10.3 million (approx. $1.4 million) in damages to Louis Vuitton Malletier. The court found that Molly Tea’s stylized four-petal floral logo infringed seven of Louis Vuitton’s registered monogram flower trademarks. A local franchisee was also held jointly liable for RMB 100,000.

Key Takeaways for Enterprise Brand Strategy: 🛑 Heed Registry Refusals: Molly Tea had faced repeated CNIPA trademark rejections for its four-petal design before scaling. Operating despite official warnings severely undermined its good-faith defense. 🛡️ Cross-Industry Protection: High-reputation and well-known marks enjoy broad anti-dilution protection across class boundaries. Selling tea vs. luxury bags does not shield a brand from infringement claims. 🎨 Logo vs. Cultural Motif: While four-petal designs exist in traditional architecture, adopting a standardized emblem across store signage and cups constitutes trademark use, not decorative art. 📈 Compounded Franchise Risk: Scaling via franchises multiplies liability across store networks, delivery platforms, and supply chains.

⚠️ Strategic Advice: Always clear visual identity risks and resolve trademark office objections before launching physical stores, franchise models, or regional marketing campaigns!

“Your brand is who you are”—and protecting your visual identity with rigorous clearance ensures sustainable global growth.

Expanding your business or auditing your regional brand portfolio? Connect with Exy Intellectual Property today to achieve complete solace and security! 💼🌏

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