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Luxury Goods Makers Sue eBay Over Sales of Counterfeits
Two French luxury brands are suing eBay in their continuing efforts to halt the sale of fake merchandise. Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior Couture have filed civil complaints in Paris against the U.S.-based online auctioneer seeking a total of $47M U.S. The auction company was already involved in a 2004 suit by Tiffany over sales of fake jewellery.
eBay has stated it will vigorously defend the new allegations and has denied responsibility. The auction company says it is doing more than the law requires to help trademark owners with its report and takedown efforts.
The legal responsibility for policing products sold through online auction houses is not clear. eBay believes that mark holders ought to police their own brands and the luxury goods industry believes eBay should be held responsible in view of the number of fakes available at its site at any given time. The suit alleges that 9 out of every 10 Vuitton items offered on eBay are counterfeit.
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http://www.ft.com/cms/s/69f7381a-48cc-11db-a996-0000779e2340.html