Watch Out For Fake Polo & Northface Online!
WWD.com reported today that Polo and The North Face are on the warpath against counterfeits.
In what legal observers say is the largest case of its kind, Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. and VF Corp.’s The North Face brand have used a federal lawsuit to strike at a large network of more than 130 Chinese Web sites selling counterfeit goods to U.S. customers through up to 6,500 domain names.
According to court documents unsealed this week, the two apparel firms’ own investigations recently uncovered a ring of related Web sites that, since January 2008, have moved as much as $780,000 a month in fake Polo and North Face goods at domains such as polo4sale.com and outletnorthface.com…
“They steal your images wholesale,” said Barbara Kolsun, an intellectual property attorney and the editor of the book Fashion Law: A Guide For Designers, Fashion Executives and Attorneys. “This is your classic counterfeiting-as-stealing operation because they’re using the advertising that you paid for and convincing customers that you are somehow involved.”
Although these two brands were the only two plaintiffs in the case, these websites also sold merchandise from Dior, Ed Hardy, Coach, Gucci, Paul Smith and Abercrombie & Fitch.
No one likes a fake. Cop your gear at authorized retailers.
Source: WWD
I don’t like fake products and I never buy it because I don’t the quality of a fake band product but incidents like this happen for a reason. CLOTHES ARE OVERPRICED for what it’s really worth …..Big companies NF and AF should not be surprised and should blame their selves for having it’s factories in China. However, I believe those who trick people into buying a fake product should be punished.
I think Michael Jordan should legally go after non legit websites that sell his fake Air Jordans. He is surely loosing millions of dollars by these websites selling counterfeits. His reputation is at stake when somebody buy his fake shoes. If you can’t afford to rock in authentic jordans then don’t by all means. Wearing fake jordans is just supporting counterfeit companies ruining the jordan brand and his reputation as an NBA legend.
That’s why I stick to DRJAYS.COM & KARMLAOOP.COM!
I agree with Tony that North Face should not be surprised and should blame itself for having it’s factories in China. Why make their product in China and not stay in North America? It is all greed!! The North Face wants low cost from China and charges their product at high price so to make a large profit margin. Who is to blame? Now your reputation is all ruined!
I used to feel proud to wear the Notrh Face products. Now, I don’t because too many people are wearing them. Live and learn by your mistake.
I was about to tell people I got ripped of buying 6 Polos from China, but I honestly thought it was a legit distributer of some kind, they were 50% cheaper and my real Polo store sells stuff 50% off all the time, so why not. Then I got them and they were obviously FAKE. $230 down the drain. Then I read a few posts above about how they are made in China and they should blame themselves. Thats a damn good point, I was going to help Polo and tell people were not to buy, but damn, I just bought the newest Polo shirt $165 . it is thick, and very good quality and gorgeous it really it, but $165 even I think is stupid, I have the money and thats who they prey on people like me who have money. But at $165 it could damn well be made in USA.
Fred