More eBay Suits Expected Over Sales of Fake Luxury Goods
Lawyers representing eBay are likely to be busy with additional lawsuits over sales of fake luxury goods after a $63 million ruling by a French court this week holding the Internet auctioneer liable for online sales conducted by users of its site.
“I expect this ruling to encourage a number of other designers to sue eBay as well,” attorney Robert Alpert of Ladas & Parry tells the London Times.
A litigation partner with the New York City-based international intellectual property boutique, Alpert says there are two lines of authority that might be used to pursue such cases against eBay.
“First, the courts have ruled that sellers at flea markets must take responsibility if they are found to be offering counterfeit goods,” the Times writes. “Secondly, landlords who rent property to retailers who sell fake goods can be held accountable.”
