The legal battle in a New York court pitted two fashion leaders in a bitter contest for what Louboutin said was the soul of its extravagantly expensive shoes -- the signature scarlet outsole.
In federal court, US District Judge Victor Marrero ruled that Louboutin -- even if widely recognized for its trailblazing use of red under the shoe -- could not stop competitors like YSL from doing the same thing.
"Because in the fashion industry color serves ornamental and aesthetic functions vital to robust competition, the court finds that Louboutin is unlikely to be able to prove that its red outsole brand is entitled to trademark protection," said Marrero, who revealed himself as an ardent admirer of the sexy slip-ons.
YSL's spat with Louboutin was over four shoes from the fashion house's 2011 Cruise collection: the Tribute, Tribtoo, Palais and Woodstock models. They all have red outsoles.
However, YSL says it has featured red soles all the way back to the 1970s.
As for Christian Louboutin's claim to a breakthrough in fashion design, YSL is scornful.
The idea for red soles was "copied from King Louis XIV's red-heeled dancing shoes or Dorothy's famous ruby slippers in 'The Wizard of Oz,'" Judge Marrero quoted YSL as saying.
Other Pictures:
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| Designer Christian Louboutin |
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| A woman wearing a pair of Christian Louboutin |
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