Louis Vuitton Malletier S.A. v. Haute Diggity Dog, LLC
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
507 F.3d 252 (4th Cir. 2007)
Louis Vuitton Malletier S.A. (LVM) (plaintiff) held registered trademarks including "LOUIS VUITTON," a monogrammed "LV," and a related design, while Haute Diggity Dog, LLC (HDD) (defendant) sold plush dog toys parodying luxury brands, including a "Chewy Vuiton" toy imitating LVM's handbag shape and using "CV" instead of "LV." LVM sued for trademark dilution based on blurring and tarnishment; the district court granted HDD summary judgment, and LVM appealed.
Whether a plaintiff can state a claim for trademark dilution if the association between its mark and the allegedly diluting mark is not likely to impair the distinctiveness or harm the reputation of the famous mark.