Chinese court orders Molly Tea to pay Louis Vuitton $1.5 million for design infringement

Beijing’s Intermediate People’s Court issued a judgment this week finding that the Chinese tea company Molly Tea had infringed the four‑petal flower motif registered by a well‑known luxury fashion house. The case, filed by the brand in 2022, centered on Molly Tea’s use of the floral pattern on packaging and promotional materials for its premium tea line, which the court determined to be substantially similar to the protected design.

The court concluded that Molly Tea’s application of the four‑petal flower constituted a violation of the luxury brand’s trademark rights under China’s Anti‑Unfair Competition Law. Accordingly, the judgment ordered the cessation of all sales and marketing activities featuring the disputed motif and imposed a monetary penalty covering damages and legal costs. The ruling underscores the judiciary’s willingness to enforce intellectual‑property protections for high‑profile designs in the Chinese market.

Legal experts note that the decision reinforces the precedent that foreign and domestic companies must rigorously respect registered designs, particularly those associated with luxury goods. The outcome is expected to influence how Chinese firms approach branding and may prompt further scrutiny of trademark compliance across the industry.