Cartier files counterfeit lawsuit

The fine jeweller Cartier International B.V. has filed a counterfeit and trademark infringement suit against online retailer Silverspot. Cartier alleges that Silverspot has been selling counterfeit jewellery. Cartier filed the suit in the Southern District of New York against Harish Vohra, Benson Rajan, Ramesh Vohra, Shoba Vohra and a number of 'John Does' who are also involved with silverspot.com.

 

Cartier's complaint is that silverspot sold counterfeit Cartier jewellery online. The company's attorney, Harley Lewin, chairman of trademarks and global brand strategies for Greenberg Traurig LLP, says that the complaint centres on a counterfeit Cartier screw bracelet and screw necklace and love necklace design.

Cartier alleges trademark counterfeiting, trademark infringement, trademark dilution, trade dress infringement and unfair competition. According to Lewin, Cartier has been discreetly approaching businesses that feature of advertise counterfeit goods on their websites and "giving them an opportunity to negotiate a good faith resolution.

Cartier wants Silverspot to hand in the goods for destruction and wants the company to be banned from using the Cartier trademarks or passing off counterfeit goods as its own. The company is also asking Silverspot for a list of manufacturers who produced the products and requests $4 million for damages and legal fees.