Villeroy & Boch Successfully Enforce Its Rights

The popularity of famous trademarks still preys on the minds of some. Villeroy & Boch AG registered several trademarks in Russia (Nos 225414, 458472, 690541), and successfully traded on the market. Villeroy & Boch then noticed that goods bearing its trademarks were being sold online by an individual entrepreneur. Online trade is becoming increasingly popular, making it crucial for the law enforcement system to develop an efficient approach to address online infringements.

Villeroy & Boch sued the entrepreneur and the Corporate Domain Registrar (Rucentre). Rucentre is the registrar of the domain and provides hosting services for the site. The first instance Court forbade the entrepreneur from using the trademarks and selling the trademarked goods. The Court confirmed that the actions of the entrepreneur infringed the rights of the trademark owner. Rucentre claimed that it did not use the trademarks belonging to the Plaintiff and should not be involved in the case.