Salvatore Ferragamo wins counterfeiting court case worth $60 million

By

Dominique Muret

Translated by
Nicola Mira

Published
Mar 20, 2018

Salvatore Ferragamo has won a major counterfeiting court case in the United States. The Italian luxury label had filed a cease-and-desist petition before the New York court against the 60 holders of 150 domain names, which used the trademark illegally and sold counterfeit Ferragamo products. The court recently ruled in favour of Ferragamo, sentencing the counterfeiters to the payment of a $60 million fine.

 
"We are very satisfied with the New York court's decision. Among other things, the ruling set an exemplary compensation amount, among the highest ever set for this kind of offence," said Salvatore Ferragamo in a press release, emphasising how the internet "is a major channel for trafficking in counterfeit goods and, therefore, the focus of our monitoring activities."

For several years, the Florentine label has been involved in the fight against counterfeiting, waging many battles, notably in China. Last year, Ferragamo managed to obtain the withdrawal from leading social media of more than 35,000 instances of illicit content and profiles. Also, it was able to "intercept, block and withdraw from online auction sites nearly 69,000 adverts featuring counterfeit products."

Good news for the group, which went through a tough year in 2017, with sales down 3.1%, to €1.39 billion. Last month, General Manager Eraldo Poletto left the group, having taken charge of Ferragamo exactly a year and a half before. He has been replaced ad interim by the President, Ferruccio Ferragamo.