Coach takes on the counterfeiters
Luxury leathergoods manufacturer Coach is suing a flea market in Columbus for selling alleged counterfeit Coach goods. The lawsuit is part of the company’s wider 'Operation Turnlock' effort set up to clamp down on the sale of fake goods.
According to the company, it visited the market in December 2008 and allegedly found fake Coach goods on sale at up to 15 booths. At least 50 fake items, it claims, were in plain view. The company is seeking damages from Eastland Flea Market, its owner, Donald E Dorman Enterprises, its landlord, Liberty Equities and several vendors including Malik An Ali.
Investigators visited the site in May 2009 and allegedly found a small number of fake Coach goods. However, the company filed the lawsuit after a visit in March when it claims many counterfeit products were on sale at the market. It is reportedly seeking $2 million for each trademark image on each type of fake Coach product being sold.
According to a company spokesperson, the brand has filed more than 260 civil lawsuits since May 2009.
