The Spanish Tribunal Supremo has dismissed the lawsuit brought by the brand Mr. Wonderful against the retail chain Ale-Hop dismissed. The Supreme Court thereby upheld the lower courts’ decisions on 19 September 2026: the design of more than a hundred Ale-Hop products—including mugs, notebooks and other gift items featuring pastel-coloured illustrations and short, motivational texts—does not constitute unfair imitation. Mr. Wonderful must pay the legal costs.
The dispute began in 2021 before a court in Valencia. Mr. Wonderful sought an injunction, compensation and the destruction of products that allegedly copied its design concept. The Audiencia Provincial de Valencia had already dismissed most of the claim. The Supreme Court has now examined in particular whether an exclusive “right to style” can exist in a combination of graphic, textual and colour elements, prohibiting imitation regardless of the exact wording or motif. The judges rejected this: a recognisable style may have economic value, but its mere recognisability does not give rise to a general right to exclude similar designs when the look has become an established, widespread style in the market.
Legally, the case falls within the interpretation of Article 11 of the Ley de Competencia Desleal , which generally permits imitation but prohibits it in certain circumstances—for example, where avoidable confusion about origin is caused or another party’s reputation is unfairly exploited. The Tribunal Supremo stressed that distinguishing permissible inspiration from unfair exploitation requires a specific, product-by-product assessment. Generalised assertions are not enough; the overall impression in the relevant market context is what matters.
The ruling has immediate consequences for those involved: for Mr. Wonderful, it means a legal defeat and an additional financial burden from the costs order. Ale-Hop can continue selling the disputed goods and gains legal certainty for ranges that draw on common design trends. Beyond this case, the decision is likely to serve as a reference in comparable disputes over protection of style in competition. It offers guidance to companies using trend-led designs: clear indicators of origin and avoiding preventable confusion are decisive—not the mere similarity of a widespread style.
The ruling thus strengthens open but regulated competition in Spain and further clarifies where the line lies between creative inspiration and unfair imitation.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).