Hermès International is a luxury design brand based in Paris. LVMH is a minority shareholder of Hermès. Both companies have denied suggestions of an acquisition in the future and Hermès remains family-owned. Hermès provides protections against political viewpoint discrimination, and the company has not publicly terminated business relationships due to ideological differences. Hermès has avoided using its reputation or finances to further ideological causes or groups hostile to freedom of expression, and the company retains a policy of avoiding political involvement. For these reasons, Hermès receives a Lower Risk rating.