Louis Vuitton has filed a trademark infringement suit in Singapore against ValueMax Retail, a wholly owned subsidiary of SGX-listed ValueMax Group. The action relates to two pieces of jewellery allegedly sold or offered for sale at a ValueMax store in 2024.
The items were reportedly displayed at the group’s Yishun Street 22 outlet in July and August. Louis Vuitton alleges that the pieces bore signs similar to its registered trademarks, including the “LV” monogram and three graphic motifs.
Claims and Legal Action
The lawsuit states that ValueMax Retail sold or offered for sale a gold charms and a pair of gold earrings bearing marks that Louis Vuitton claims infringe on its intellectual property. The company also alleges that these items were misrepresented as Louis Vuitton products or appeared to have some association with the brand.
Louis Vuitton is seeking statutory damages of up to S$100,000 per category of goods under the Trade Marks Act. It is also requesting an injunction to prevent further infringement, the forfeiture of the items in question and an account of profits from their sale.
Response from ValueMax
In a filing to the Singapore Exchange on 18 December, ValueMax stated that the jewellery items were unredeemed pawned goods acquired from separate sources. The company denies that the items were linked to Louis Vuitton or that any representations about their origin were made.
ValueMax Retail said: “The group has explained that these said gold charms and gold earrings were unredeemed pawned items procured through separate sources by the group.” It added that it “shall vigorously and robustly defend these claims brought forward by LV at every appropriate legal stage and will take all necessary action to defend its reputation”.
The group also said it is not in direct competition with Louis Vuitton and that the nature of its business, which involves selling second-hand items, is distinct. It confirmed that no Louis Vuitton products are currently sold in its outlets. A spokesperson stated: “Just to be on the side of caution, we currently do not carry LV products at all our outlets.”
ValueMax operates 46 pawnbroking and retail outlets in Singapore and 26 in Malaysia. The group deals in a range of pre-owned branded jewellery and watches sourced through secondary channels.
Implications for the Trade
The case draws attention to the legal risks faced by jewellers and pawnbrokers dealing in branded pre-owned items, particularly those acquired through unredeemed pledges or other secondary sources.
It also reflects continuing efforts by luxury brands to enforce trademark rights in the secondary market. Louis Vuitton has stated that its brand is one of the most counterfeited globally and that it actively pursues legal action to deter infringement.
ValueMax has stated that the matter is not expected to have any material impact on its business or financial results for the year ending 31 December. The company has said it will provide updates as developments arise.
