Someone Registered Richard Mille Without Using It. Here’s Why the Court Shut It Down. 

You don’t need to copy a product to misuse a brand. 
Sometimes, all it takes is a trademark filing on paper. 
That’s exactly what happened in a recent Richard Mille trademark dispute and why the court stepped in. 

What Really Happened? 

Richard Mille is a globally known Swiss luxury watch brand. 
Another party registered the name “Richard Mille” in France not for watches, but for unrelated categories like machinery, vehicles, telecom, and tech services. 

But here’s the catch: 

• No products 
• No business operations 
• No proof of use 
• No plan to launch anything 

Just a registration! 

Why File a Trademark You Never Use? 

Because a trademark filing can create legal leverage. 
Registrations like these are often used to: 
• oppose future filings by the real brand 
• delay expansion into new categories 
• create legal uncertainty 
• push the brand toward settlement or buy-back 

It’s not business-building. 
It’s brand obstruction. 
This is commonly known as bad-faith or squatter filings. 

What the Court Focused On? 

The court didn’t get distracted by how famous the brand was. 
It asked a simpler question: 
Was this trademark filed to support a real business or to exploit an existing reputation? 

The evidence showed: 
• zero commercial activity 
• identical use of a famous name 
• filing across unrelated classes 
• a broader pattern of brand name grabbing 

That pointed clearly to bad faith. 

The Outcome: Full Invalidation 

Because the filing was dishonest from the start, the court didn’t preserve any part of it. 
No partial protection. 
No compromise. 
The trademark was cancelled entirely. 

Why This Matters to Attorneys and Brand Owners? 
This kind of issue is not rare. 
Attorneys see it regularly in: 
• trademark searches 
• opposition proceedings 
• enforcement work 
• portfolio clean-ups 

And it often requires: 
• detailed trademark research 
• evidence gathering (non-use, intent, patterns) 
• class-by-class analysis 
• well-documented enforcement support 

This is where strong behind-the-scenes IP support becomes critical. 

The Practical Takeaway 

Trademark law protects real use and honest intent not paperwork alone. 
For growing brands, this means: 
✔ filing smart, not broad 
✔ monitoring filings beyond core classes 
✔ acting early against suspicious registrations 
✔ maintaining clear records of use and reputation 

Waiting usually makes enforcement harder — and more expensive. 

Final Thought 

You don’t lose a trademark because you didn’t register it everywhere. 
You lose ground when someone else files without intending to use it, and no one challenges it in time. 
Richard Mille didn’t just rely on fame. 
They relied on evidence and enforcement. 

Supporting IP Work, Done Right 

For attorneys handling trademark prosecution, opposition, or enforcement matters, structured IP support — from trademark searches and documentation to enforcement assistance — can make the difference between delay and decisive action. 

Draft n Craft works closely with IP professionals to support research, drafting, monitoring, and enforcement-related IP services, allowing attorneys to stay focused on strategy and advocacy. 

📩 Reach out if you’re exploring IP support for your practice or clients. 

Intellectual Property (IP) Support Services