What distinctive feature is protected by Christian Louboutin’s trademark?

Christian Louboutin’s trademark protects red lacquered shoe soles.

The designer began applying red nail polish to the soles of shoes in the early 1990s. The color became a signature of his footwear, especially high-heeled shoes, and the red sole was later protected as a trademark in several jurisdictions. The mark identifies the sole’s red color in relation to footwear rather than claiming every use of red on every shoe.

Louboutin founded his company in Paris in 1991. His designs became known for high heels, pointed shapes and theatrical styling. The sole is usually visible when the wearer walks or crosses their legs, giving the shoes a distinctive visual signal.

The trademark has produced legal disputes, including cases involving the use of red soles by other footwear companies. A red detail elsewhere on a shoe is not automatically the same protected feature. The relevant signature is the lacquered red outsole associated with the brand.