'He wanted to cash in on the Birkin name': Hermes takes on NFT creator in court

A file photo shows a Rouge H Calf Box Leather Hac Birkin 60 with gold hardware during the exhibition of the couture collection of late fashion icon Andre Leon Talley in Paris. Photo: Reuters

Hermes International SCA urged a US jury on Monday (Feb 6) to find that a creator of non-fungible tokens violated its trademark for Birkin bags, while lawyers for the "MetaBirkins" maker countered that the images were art.

The French fashion house in 2022 sued Mason Rothschild to recover profits he made by selling NFTs depicting Birkin bags covered in colourful fur without seeking Hermes' permission, claiming Rothschild sought to trick consumers into believing he had partnered with Hermes to sell the digital assets.