The Mail on Sunday sought Waterfront’s analysis as part of the newspaper’s special investigation into counterfeit goods.
The paper ran a major article as part of its probe into sales of accurate copies of clothes, bags and shoes by a Chinese-run website. It sought comments from Waterfront’s Joint Head of Intellectual Property and Dispute Resolution, Matthew Harris, regarding the possibility of pursuing those responsible.
It was alleged that the site sells cut-price goods that look almost identical to expensive items produced and sold by the likes of Chanel and Hermes. Individual retailers were said to have listed items for sale on the DHgate online site, describing them as replicas, and picture them without any accompanying branding.
Matthew explained that it is difficult for the established designer brands to act against those who are involved in the selling of counterfeit goods online.
There are ways in which it is possible to tackle this online infringing activity, but even if one site or advertisement is taken down, often another will quickly take its place. Matthew compared the process to “a game of whack-a-mole.’’
To read the full article visit Mail Online.
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