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Article: French court hits eBay with E40m in fines for trading in counterfeits.
- Article from:
- The Lawyer
- Article date:
- July 7, 2008
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As dedicated followers of fashion know, a decent handbag is worth its weight in gold. But eBay has discovered that a counterfeit one could cost it almost e40m (#31.81m).
French court Tribunal de Commerce has demanded that eBay shell out almost e20m (#15.91m) to Louis Vuitton Malletier and e16.4m (#13.04m) to Christian Dior Couture, as well as around e3m (#2.39m) to perfume brands, after users of the auction site were found to be trading in counterfeit goods. All the brands in question are owned by luxury goods conglomerate LVMH.
The size of the fine has staggered observers of the judgment, which could deal a punishing blow to eBay's entire business ...