Longchamp sues Dunnes Stores over handbags claimed to be ‘designer dupe’ of Le Pliage bag

Dunnes denies the claims of a French luxury brand which seeks injunctions restraining the retailer from infringing registered trademarks and from passing off the plaintiffs' goods

A composite photo of bags marketed by Longchamp, left, and Dunnes Stores, right. The French firms claim the Irish retailer has been selling a 'major designer dupe' and 'a dead ringer' for the Longchamp Le Pliage bag. File picture

Dunnes Stores is fighting a trademark infringement action over its sale of women's designer handbags which the French luxury brand Longchamp claims were confusingly similar to its products.

Paris-based Jean Cassegrain SAS and Longchamp SAS have sued Dunnes Stores Unlimited Company and Dunnes Stores Retailing Unlimited Company seeking, among other things, injunctions restraining the defendants from infringing registered trademarks and from passing off the plaintiffs' goods.