Burberry Loses Rights to Signature Tan, Black and Red Plaid in China

Burberry no longer holds exclusive rights to its iconic tan, black and red tartan known as the “Haymarket Check” in China, after the country’s national trademark office revoked the company’s copyright of the design last week.

The decision is the latest and most momentous in a long-running legal battle between Burberry and Polo Santa Roberta, a Chinese bag and apparel maker from Foshan that has also faced off against Burberry in Hong Kong and Taiwan courts for its look-alike bags. Burberry’s sales in China have been more buoyant this year than other, higher-priced luxury goods makers like Louis Vuitton, in part because the brand is still a novelty there. An influx of Haymarket Check-patterned goods, which seems likely after the recent court decision, might make that company seem a lot less novel. Read more...