Battle of the children’s suitcases – London’s Supreme Court to rule

Legal experts are waiting to hear the result of a Supreme Court fight between rival sellers of children’s ride-on suitcases.

Magmatic, which sells Trunki suitcases, and PMS International, which sells Kiddee Case luggage, are embroiled in a design dispute. Bosses at Magmatic says Kiddee Case suitcases decorated to look like animals or insects infringe their registered design rights. Image by Trunki/PA Wire

Five Supreme Court justices have analysed the design dispute between Magmatic, which sells Trunki suitcases, and PMS International, which sells Kiddee Case luggage, at a hearing in London. They will deliver a ruling at a date to be fixed.

Bosses at Magmatic say Kiddee Case suitcases decorated to look like animals or insects infringe their registered design rights. Lawyers specialising in design and patent litigation say the result will have implications ”This is an extremely important legal case,” said Ewan Grist, a specialist intellectual property lawyer at law firm Bird & Bird. ”It involves Trunki, a successful company at the forefront of British design which has created a hugely well-known and innovative product.” He went on: ”It is likely to have profound implications in the design world, whichever way the Supreme Court rules.”

(Press Association)