Young Designer Sues Louis Vuitton Over Sneaker Designs

American shoe designer is suing Louis Vuitton for trademark infringement. According to US media reports, Antonio Brown says he wants the prestigious fashion house to pay up for stealing his trademark design — a toe plate on the front of his LVL XIII (Level Thirteen) designer shoes.

Last month, Brown filed a lawsuit against Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH) and Louis Vuitton North America for trademark infringement. The complaint alleges that Vuitton copied the toe-plate design of Brown’s LVL XIII (Level Thirteen) shoe brand for its “On the Road” sneaker collection which debuted in February.

“For me, I just want justice. I don’t want any more confusion in the marketplace. This was a trademark I established and put in the market,” says Brown.

Louis Vuitton North America has not yet responded to the complaint (LVMH was released from the lawsuit, says Brown) and requested an extension from New York Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, which Brown and his attorney’s granted, giving the company until September 22 to respond.

Thanks to celebs including Chris Brown, Jason Derulo and Tyson Beckford wearing the LVL XIII shoes in television appearances and magazine features, Brown has made a name for himself in the US celebrity fashion circles.