eBay’s reputation as a marketplace for fraud continues to worsen, with high profile mainstream media stories about lawsuits over the sale of fake, counterfeit, and copyright-infringing goods. The latest example comes from a court case in the UK, regarding a “global network of criminals [that] duped eBay customers into buying millions of pounds worth of fake golf clubs“. [Read more…]
Landmark Decision in U.S. Federal Court: California Jury Finds ISPs Liable for Hosting Websites Selling Counterfeit Goods
In what is being called a landmark decision, a jury in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California this week found that two ISPs and their owner are liable for contributing to trademark and copyright infringement for hosting sites selling counterfeit Louis Vuitton merchandise. [Read more…]
French Court Orders eBay to Pay $61 Million for Sale of Counterfeit Goods
A French court today ordered auction giant eBay to pay 38.6 million euros (about $61 million dollars) in damages to the French luxury goods company LVMH, maker of Louis Vuitton bags and Dior perfumes. This judgment was a huge setback for eBay in one of several legal battles over the sale of counterfeit goods through their auction service. [Read more…]