- Louis Vuitton’s owner, LVMH, has been accused of NFT patent infringement
- The accusations were brought by Watch Skins, a company that deals in NFT-based smartwatch face designs
- The accusations are directed at LVMH’s watch brand TAG Heuer
The owner of Louis Vuitton, LVMH, has been accused of NFT patent infringement by Watch Skins, a company that deals in smartwatch face designs. Watch Skins claims that LVMH’s watch brand TAG Heuer used its “pioneering NFT display technology” without permission. Watch Skins wants LVMH to pay for lost profits and the court to stop the luxury goods manufacturer from using its NFT display technology in the future, which may help define how brands explore the web3 space without violating IP rights.
NFT Display Technology Already Patented
The smartwatch face designer sued LVMH in a Texas court saying it has already patented a technology that enables users to showcase their collectibles on their smartwatches. It told the court that TAG Heuer and other LVMH brands used the technology without permission.
According to Watch Skins, the LVMH watch brand showed its customers how to use the patented technology. It added that TAG Heuer’s technology, just like its own, can verify NFT ownership through a web3 wallet.
Watch Skins launched the “world’s first blockchain watch face marketplace” in 2020. At the time, it said that its proprietary technology allows users to link their smartwatches with “their favorite brands and offer collectible, and customizable skins.
Smart Skins’ Tech Interconnects Wearables and NFTs
Watch Skins founder, Collin Knock, believes the technology helps interconnect smart wearables, licensing, and collectibles. IP rights violation isn’t a new thing in the NFT space. In 2022, for example, conceptual artist Ryder Ripps was sued by Yuga Labs for infringing the company’s trademark. The court ordered Ripps to forfeit control of the fake Bored Ape NFTs he had created.
In 2023, an NFT artist was ordered by a New York court to halt the sale of MetaBirkins NFTs because he infringed Hermès trademark.
With Watch Skins releasing the technology over four years, it’s to be seen whether LVMH will be able to counter the IP infringement claims.
