An appeals court says Christian ##a can enforce its red - lacquered sole trademark . But the trademark applies only if the sole color contrasts with the color of the back of the shoe . The trademark does not apply to monochromatic shoes , such as designs by Yves St. Laurent . A lawsuit filed in June 2011 by Louboutin took issue with four specific shoes from YSL 's Cruise 2011 Collection : the Tribute , Tribtoo , Palais and Woodstock models , saying they violated Louboutin 's trademarked `` lacquered red sole . '' A lawsuit that Louboutin filed in March 2011 took place with four specific red shoes .
An appeals court says Christian ##a can enforce its red - lacquered sole trademark . But the trademark applies only if the sole color contrasts with the color of the back of the shoe . The trademark does not apply to monochromatic shoes , such as designs by Yves St. Laurent . A lawsuit that Louboutin filed in March 2011 took place with four specific red shoes .