LVL XIII Brands, Inc. v. Louis Vuitton Malletier S.A.

OPINION & ORDER

PAUL A. ENGELMAYER, District Judge

In this trademark lawsuit, two fashion companies go toe-to-toe over the right to affix a metal plate to the toe of “luxury” men’s sneakers. Plaintiff LVL XIII Brands, Inc. (“LVL XIII,” pronounced “Level 13”) is a New York start-up company that manufactures, markets, and sells men’s luxury athletic footwear. LVL XIII brings this action against defendants Louis Vuitton Malletier S.A. and Louis Vuitton North America, Inc. (collectively, “LV”). It claims that LV, through its marketing and sale of the On the Road Sneaker (“OTR Sneaker”), infringed…