Christian Louboutin S.A. filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Manhattan against Yves Saint Laurent S.A.S., another French company based in Paris.
The lawsuit says designer Christian Louboutin originated the Red Sole logo trademark nearly 20 years ago. It says he created the idea when he painted red nail polish on the black soles of a pair of women's shoes.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.
A telephone message left with an Yves Saint Laurent spokeswoman on Thursday hasn't been returned.
