A legal dispute over bag designs pits Anekke against imitators in Madrid
Anekke is a singular brand known for its distinctive dolls that symbolize an independent, bold, and dreamy woman. The Madrid commercial court number 17 ruled on a case involving Sany Bags SL, the leather goods company from Petrer also known as Azzar Group, and a Madrid-based company accused of copying Anekke’s popular bag designs. The decision addressed allegations of copying that have helped Anekke export to more than sixty countries.
The verdict states that products marketed by Sweet Candy Bags SL mix with those of the Alicante company, leading to what the court described as unfair behavior through acts of imitation. As a result, the Madrid firm was ordered to stop producing and distributing the implicated product line and any other items using the same or substantially similar elements as Sany Bags’ prior creations. The ruling also required the market withdrawal and destruction of all affected products at the defendant’s expense.
The sentence remains subject to appeal, and the matter is not yet final. The firm known as Sugar Bags indicated that it has not decided whether to appeal the decision.
According to Azzar Group reports from years past, a line of bags and leather goods entered the market that closely resembled Anekke’s brand, which was established nine years ago. The brand seeks to defend the values of an independent, brave, and imaginative woman whose emblem is a doll. The resemblance was so pronounced that some customers online claimed, through social networks, that certain products did not belong to the brand. Distributors also reported receiving complaints from buyers who believed the imitations were offered at lower prices.
Following an investigation, the Puri brothers and their management learned of another company in Fuenlabrada that also imports and sells leather goods. That company was sued to protect intellectual property and the interests of the group that includes about 120 affiliated businesses.
During the trial, the Madrid firm argued that it is not selling counterfeit items and highlighted its presence in the market. It pointed to multiple brands with similar doll-inspired designs, citing examples such as Gorjuss and Kimmidoll. An expert report was also presented to emphasize differences between the contested designs and those popularized by the Petrer-based company.
Nevertheless, the Commercial Court Magistrate No. 17 concluded that the differences between the products are so subtle that a consumer cannot easily discern them. A study conducted with visually guided assessment and 501 interviews indicated that 81 percent of respondents believed the designs could be mixed. Beyond the doll motif, the court considered the overall product context and the target audience in its assessment.
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In the ongoing case, the court partially resolved the dispute in favor of Sany Bags. It ordered the Madrid entity to halt the sale and distribution of products deemed counterfeit and to withdraw them from the market. The claim for unjust enrichment against Anekke Madrid was not accepted as applicable, and the court did not award damages on that basis. The judgment reflects how the legal framework treats brand protection and consumer confusion in the fashion goods sector.
Overall, the decision underscores the importance of protecting intellectual property in a highly competitive market. It illustrates how a strong, recognized brand can defend its unique designs against close imitators while balancing consumer perception and market presence.
Remarks from industry observers suggest that alignment between a brand’s visual identity and its market strategy remains critical for maintaining brand integrity and recognizing authentic products in a crowded marketplace. The case continues to influence how similar designs are treated under Spanish and European law, particularly in sectors tied to fashion and accessories.