eBay to pay Vuitton costs

EBAY is to pay about $316,500 (€230,000) to Louis Vuitton for legal costs and damages and stop using internet search terms to which the luxury goods firm has objected, following a ruling by the Paris District Court today.

The online auction site was found liable for harming the reputation of Louis Vuitton trademarks, the company name and domain name – all held by LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton.

eBay had been buying keywords such as “Viton”, “Vitton” and “Wuiton” so online shoppers putting these misspellings into a search engine, along with anyone using the brand’s correct spelling, would be directed to links promoting eBay, a Louis Vuitton spokeswoman said.

The court, which called eBay’s actions “parasitic”, ordered the company to stop using the keywords. The court said the practice harmed Louis Vuitton’s brand.