Since 1927, Lacoste has used the logo of an embroidered crocodile along with the name Lacoste, which it has registered in many countries. The Singaporean company Crocodile also uses a crocodile in its logo, which is registered in several countries, including India. After a series of legal battles (in Singapore and Japan), both companies decided to settle. They signed a coexistence agreement, stating that both brands could exist alongside each other and halting any further legal disputes. Such agreements are common in trademark disputes.
Years later, when Crocodile sought to protect its new logo in India, Lacoste objected. The ruling stated that while Crocodile held an older trademark in India, this did not extend to all possible variations, including the new logo.
Lacoste won the case, as it had registered the crocodile symbol (without the word Lacoste) earlier. The coexistence agreement applied to several countries, but India wasn’t explicitly included. This case highlights the importance of securing protection for the symbols used in branding. When drafting coexistence agreements, businesses should not only consider the current situation but also anticipate potential future changes.
