LVMH Sued Over Alleged Patent Infringement in NFT Technology
Mar 14
2 min read
A legal battle has erupted as Watch Skins Corporation, a company specializing in NFT smartwatch face designs, has filed a lawsuit against luxury conglomerate LVMH. The lawsuit, lodged in a Texas federal court, accuses LVMH of infringing on multiple patents related to NFT display technology used in its TAG Heuer smartwatches.
Key Takeaways
Watch Skins Corporation claims LVMH misappropriated its patented NFT display technology.
The lawsuit targets TAG Heuer smartwatches and other LVMH products.
Watch Skins seeks financial compensation and an injunction against LVMH.
Background of the Lawsuit
On March 10, 2025, Watch Skins Corporation filed a complaint alleging that LVMH's TAG Heuer brand unlawfully utilized its proprietary technology for displaying non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on smartwatches. The company asserts that it holds several patents that enable the secure display of verified NFT artworks on wearable devices.
The patents in question include:
Verification of NFT Ownership: Ensures that only authenticated NFTs can be displayed on a smartwatch.
Blockchain Wallet Authentication: Requires NFTs to be verified through a blockchain wallet before display.
Custom Watch Face Retrieval: Focuses on retrieving and displaying watch faces based on NFT ownership.
Allegations Against LVMH
Watch Skins claims that TAG Heuer not only infringed on its patents but also encouraged customers to misuse the technology by providing instructions on how to display NFTs linked to their crypto wallets. The complaint highlights that the TAG Heuer smartwatches connect to users' crypto wallets to verify the authenticity of the NFTs displayed.
Legal Demands
In its lawsuit, Watch Skins is seeking:
Financial Compensation: For lost profits and royalties due to the alleged infringement.
Injunction: A court order to prevent LVMH from further use of the patented technology.
Jury Trial: To adjudicate the claims made against LVMH.
Implications for the NFT Market
This lawsuit comes at a time when the NFT market is experiencing significant fluctuations. Recent reports indicate a sharp decline in NFT trading volumes, with a drop of over 60% in February 2025 alone. Despite this downturn, the intersection of NFTs and wearable technology continues to attract attention, making the outcome of this legal battle particularly significant for both companies involved and the broader market.
Watch Skins first introduced its blockchain-powered NFT watch face marketplace at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in 2020, allowing consumers to purchase officially licensed smartwatch faces from various brands. The company’s legal action underscores the importance of protecting innovations in the rapidly evolving digital asset landscape.
As the case unfolds, it will be crucial to observe how it impacts LVMH's operations and the future of NFT technology in luxury goods.
Sources
LVMH Hit With Patent Suit Over NFT Smartwatch Display Tech, Law360.
Luxury fashion giant LVMH sued over NFT patent tech for watches, Cointelegraph.
Company Sues LVMH Over Alleged NFT Smartwatch Patent Infringement, Cryptodnes.bg.
NFT Company Sues Fashion Giant LVMH for Patent Infringement, Cryptonews.