LVMH in Legal Crosshairs Over NFT Smartwatch Tech

Table of Contents

Luxury conglomerate LVMH is facing a lawsuit from Watch Skins Corporation over alleged patent infringement involving NFT display technology.

The lawsuit, filed on March 10 in a Texas federal court, claims that TAG Heuer, an LVMH-owned watch brand, unlawfully used Watch Skins’ patented system for displaying NFTs on smartwatches.

The LVMH Patent Dispute

Watch Skins Corporation, a blockchain company specializing in NFT-integrated smartwatch faces, asserts that it developed a pioneering system allowing users to showcase verified NFT artworks on wearable devices. The company holds multiple patents related to this technology and alleges that TAG Heuer’s products incorporate these features without authorization.

Also read: Exploring the Top NFT Marketplaces Today

The lawsuit highlights three key patents held by Watch Skins. The first ensures that only verified NFT owners can display digital assets on smartwatch faces. The second requires NFT authentication via a blockchain wallet before appearing on the device. The third patent covers the retrieval and customization of smartwatch faces based on NFT ownership.

Watch Skins claims that TAG Heuer actively encouraged customers to use its NFT display capabilities, effectively leading to patent infringement.

Implications for Luxury and NFT Markets

Watch Skins is seeking a jury trial and demands compensation for lost revenue and royalties due to the alleged infringement. Additionally, the company requests a court order preventing LVMH from further use of its patented technology.

Since unveiling the first blockchain-based NFT smartwatch face marketplace at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Watch Skins has been a key player in integrating NFTs into wearable technology. Through its mobile app, users can purchase licensed smartwatch faces linked to their verified NFT assets.

Also read: Sell NFTs Successfully: Everything You Need To Know

This legal battle raises broader questions about the intersection of NFTs and intellectual property rights within the luxury sector. As major brands continue to invest in Web3 and blockchain technologies, this case could set a precedent for how companies navigate digital ownership and patent protection in the evolving NFT landscape.

LVMH has yet to issue a public statement regarding the lawsuit. However, given its extensive legal resources and technological ambitions, the case could lead to a significant legal confrontation that may influence future developments in NFT-driven luxury fashion.

Author

Steven Walgenbach

Steven's passion for cryptocurrency and blockchain technology began in 2014, inspiring him to immerse himself in the field. He notably secured a top 5 world ranking in robotics. While he initially pursued a computer science degree at the University of Texas at Arlington, he chose to pause his studies after two semesters to take a more hands-on approach in advancing cryptocurrency technology. During this period, he actively worked on multiple patents related to cryptocurrency and blockchain. Additionally, Steven has explored various areas of the financial sector, including banking and financial markets, developing prototypes such as fully autonomous trading bots and intuitive interfaces that streamline blockchain integration, among other innovations.

View all posts