Why Van Cleef & Arpels Lost Its 3D Trademark

Van Cleef & Arpels is a French luxury jewelry company. Of all the jewelry motifs created by them, perhaps the most widely acknowledged and emblematic is the Alhambra, which was first unveiled in 1968.

The Alhambra is a talismanic design inspired by the four-leaf clover and reminiscent of traditional Moorish quatrefoil (a framework pattern consisting of four overlapping circles). The four-leaf clover Alhambra jewelry collection established itself as a timeless symbol of luck.

3D Trademark for "four-leaf clover" registered in China

3D Trademark Specimen of "four-leaf clover"

On November 19, 2014, Van Cleef & Arpels filed a 3D trademark No.15736970 for their traditional collection in class 14 on goods "watch; ring (jewelry); bracelet (jewelry); earrings; necklace (jewelry); jewelry; watch cases" with the Chinese Trademark Office, later it was approved to be registered on January 7, 2016.