Gemma Qin

Following the success of its 2008 case in which Gucci secured permanent injunctions against certain defendants, collectively known as “Laurette” for the sale of counterfeit Gucci products on a website called TheBagAddiction.com, Gucci brought proceedings in 2009 against Durango Merchant Services, Frontline Processing Corp, and Woodforest National Bank, alleging that they aided and assisted Laurette by offering credit card processing services which enabled infringing sales over the internet to take place.

The recent decision by the US Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Tiffany (NJ) Inc v eBay Inc confirms that brand owners bear the ultimate responsibility to stop counterfeits. 

South African company Bodtrade 54 (Pty) Ltd has succeeded in its battle against UK giant Virgin Enterprises Limited in its fight to register the mark YOU CAN’T BE A VIRGIN ALL YOUR LIFE ITS TIME.