A trade dress tale: Gang abducts princess, enhances ransom through Internet, court approves

The court case of Hermes International v. Lederer de Paris Fifth Avenue, Inc. is profiled. If a company has developed a recognizable trade dress or trademark for their product, and they wish to be the sole beneficiary of its value, they must take some reasonably prompt step(s) to prevent its usage by competitors. And the action taken to protect a trademark or trade dress need not necessarily be burdensome. Often, simple cease-and-desist letters or even documented phone calls will be sufficient. Promptly filing a lawsuit is always effective.