Balenciaga sued SteveMadden for plagiarizing "locomotive bag" design

May 23, 2018: French luxury brand Balenciaga Parisian family sued Steven Madden Ltd., an American shoe and footwear retailer, for copying the design of its best-selling handbag style "locomotive bag" to infringe its trademark.

According to Reuters, Balenciaga, a member of Kering SA (KER.PA), the world's third-largest luxury goods group, refers to Steven Madden Ltd. whose brand Steve Madden has the same shape and design elements as the "locomotive bag" it launched in 2000, but at a much lower price than Balenciaga's Parisian family. Sale, which confuses consumers and gives them the illusion that Steven Madden Ltd. products are identical with Balenciaga, thus damaging Balenciaga's reputation, reputation and sales.

Balenciaga's Parisian family sought to ban Steven Madden Ltd. from continuing to sell infringed products and claim damages for lost profits.

Steven Madden Ltd. declined to comment on the lawsuit announced Thursday in Manhattan Federal Court, New York.