Louis Vuitton Escapes Copyright Claims Over 2 of 3 Designs

Luis Vuitton USA Inc. convinced a judge to toss two—but not all three—copyright claims from a designer who said the luxury handbag and accessories maker stole womenswear designs she pitched to it.

Paula Hian didn’t register her “Green Raffia” design with the US Copyright Office, and the accused products “doesn’t look remotely similar” to her “Ombre” design, the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania said. But Hian plausibly alleged both access and substantial similarity regarding her “Plaque D’egnout” design, the court said.

The ruling slashes the scope of Hian’s complaint without letting Louis Vuitton off the hook ...