On December 15, 2025, Taiwan’s IP Office (“TIPO”) rejected a trademark opposition filed by Valentino S.p.A. (“Valentino”), finding the contested trademark dissimilar to Valentino’s cited trademarks (Reg. Nos. 00410686, 01900061, 01739965, and 00230396, see below).
1. Based on the submitted evidence and prior records, including magazine and news reports, product sales, store expansion, and prior court’s decisions, Valentino’s trademarks, particularly Reg. No. 00410686, 01739965, and 00230396, have been recognized as well-known in apparel, wallets, and the relevant accessories.
2. As for similarity, the contested trademark consists of word “Valentino Morris” and a square device featuring the letters “V” and “M”. In contrast, Valentino’s cited marks include circular design with an embedded letter “V”. Although both parties’ trademarks contain the word “Valentino”, such word has been commonly adopted by other registrants. For example, “Morris Valentino and device” and “Valentino” have been registered by third parties as trademarks in Taiwan. Considering the differences in overall design and the combined wording “Valentino Morris”, ordinary consumers would view the contested trademark visually, conceptually, and phonetically different.
3. While some of the designated product categories overlap, both the contested trademark and Valentino’s trademarks possess sufficient distinctiveness. Further, as noted above, there have been other co-existent trademarks featuring “Valentino” for similar product categories.
In view of the dissimilarity between the two trademarks, the distinctiveness of the contested trademark, and the co-existence of other “Valentino” trademarks, TIPO concluded that registration of the contested trademark would not cause consumer confusion, harm the reputation or dilute the distinctiveness of Valentino’s well-known trademarks. Valentino’s opposition was therefore denied accordingly.
