According to Cointelegraph, Watch Skins Corporation has filed a lawsuit against luxury fashion conglomerate LVMH, accusing it of patent infringement related to non-fungible token (NFT) display technology. The complaint, submitted to a Texas federal court on March 10, alleges that LVMH misappropriated Watch Skins' innovative system, which enables the display of verified NFT artworks on smartwatches. Watch Skins claims to hold multiple patents for this technology.
The lawsuit specifically targets the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 smartwatch, among other products from LVMH's brands, asserting that these devices unlawfully utilized NFT display technology based on three patents owned by Watch Skins. LVMH, a multinational holding company, owns numerous luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, TAG Heuer, Tiffany, Christian Dior, Hennessy, and Moët & Chandon.
Watch Skins detailed its patents, stating that the first covers a system verifying NFT ownership before allowing display on a watch face. The second patent involves a system where an NFT must be verified through a blockchain wallet before being shown on a smartwatch. The third patent focuses on retrieving and displaying customized watch faces based on NFT ownership. The company accused TAG Heuer of encouraging patent infringement by providing instructions for using its NFT display features.
The complaint elaborated that the smartwatch connects to a user's crypto wallet to ensure the authenticity of displayed works, allowing NFTs to be shown if owned by the user's wallet. Watch Skins is seeking a jury trial, compensation for lost profits and royalties, and a court order to prevent LVMH from further using the patented technology.
Watch Skins had previously announced the launch of the world's first blockchain NFT watch face marketplace at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in 2020. The mobile app offers consumers the ability to purchase authentic, licensed smartwatch faces from their favorite brands. Cointelegraph has reached out to LVMH for comment on the lawsuit.