A Chinese court has ordered popular tea chain Molly Tea to pay 10.3 million yuan, about $1.5 million, after ruling that the company’s logo infringed a trademark owned by luxury fashion brand Louis Vuitton. The decision has sparked a heated discussion across Chinese social media, where users remain divided over intellectual property rights and logo design.
Court Rules in Favor of Louis Vuitton
The court in Suzhou, located in eastern China, found that Molly Tea’s logo closely resembled Louis Vuitton’s well known four petal flower symbol. As a result, the court instructed the Shenzhen based tea company to stop using the disputed logo immediately.
In addition, the court ordered Molly Tea to publish a public apology and pay 10.3 million yuan in damages to Louis Vuitton.
Trademark Applications Faced Multiple Rejections
According to reports, Molly Tea and its related companies submitted several trademark applications in the past. However, authorities rejected most of those applications.
Only the trademark featuring the Chinese characters for “Molly Tea” received official approval. The logo at the center of the legal dispute was not successfully registered.
Social Media Users Split Over the Verdict
The court’s decision quickly became one of the most talked about topics on Chinese social media. A related hashtag attracted more than 400 million views, while thousands of users shared different opinions.
Many users defended Molly Tea. Some argued that simple flower patterns and geometric designs have existed for centuries and should not belong to one company alone.
One supporter even said they would continue buying Molly Tea to show support for the brand. Others claimed that many luxury fashion designs were inspired by traditional Chinese art and historical patterns.
Others Back Intellectual Property Protection
Not everyone agreed with Molly Tea’s supporters. Many users defended the court’s ruling and stressed the importance of protecting registered trademarks.
Several commenters pointed out that Louis Vuitton legally registered its logo years ago. They argued that businesses should create original branding instead of using designs that closely resemble protected trademarks, regardless of the industry they operate in.
Trademark Dispute Highlights Growing Focus on Brand Protection
The case has renewed public discussion about intellectual property protection in China. Legal experts believe companies should conduct careful trademark research before launching new logos or branding materials.
As businesses continue expanding into competitive markets, protecting unique brand identities remains essential.
