Cambrelle copyists caught in the net
The extent to which counterfeit components are infiltrating the footwear supply chain has been thrown into sharp relief by a recent Internet survey conducted by the branded footwear lining manufacturer, Camtex Fabrics.
Using the ‘Mark Monitor’ Trademark monitoring system, Camtex found that of the 2,500-plus manufacturers around the world who thought they were using its Cambrelle lining, around only 75% were actually doing so. The remainder were taking delivery of products with names that sounded like Cambrelle, such as Cambrela or Cambrella, or they were simply using counterfeit Cambrelle.
Explains Kieran O’Hare, managing director of Camtex; “Mark Monitor is an extremely powerful Internet-based system that uses over ten search engines including Google & Yahoo, so we knew it would yield some interesting results. However, even we were surprised at the level of substitution we uncovered.”
Mr O’Hare added that although Camtex had been forced to take legal action against several companies and compensation was being sought, most of the footwear manufacturers among them had been genuinely shocked to learn the truth, and had since converted to the real product. “It just goes to show that even with the best intentions, shoe manufacturers can still fall foul of counterfeit components, wherever they are in the world,” he observed.
As part of the anti-counterfeit drive, Camtex has started legal proceedings for damages against a European producer of nonwoven fabrics for trademark infringement. Camtex is seeking financial compensation from the company, which has been producing an imitation product.
