CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN CLAIMED LEGAL VICTORY

World-famous designer Christian Louboutin has won a legal battle to protect his brand's
distinctive red soles.
Louboutin first designed his trademark shoe in 1993, using an assistant's red nail polish.

In 2012, Louboutin sued rival firm Van Haren for selling high-heeled shoes with scarlet soles

Under EU law, companies cannot trademark common shapes of products such as the soles of
shoes. Van Haren argued that applying red to a shoe sole came under the law and, as a result,
Louboutin did not have trademark protection.

The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg ruled otherwise on Tuesday.

"A mark consisting of a color applied to the red sole of a shoe is not covered by the prohibition
of the registration of shapes," the judges wrote in their decision.

The luxury brand said it "warmly welcomes" the judgement.