Hilfiger, Polo and Nike File Lawsuit Alleging Sale of Counterfeit Goods Online

Tommy Hilfiger Corporation, PRL U.S.A. Holdings, Inc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, and Nike Inc., have filed a lawsuit against Visionary Content Management, an Arizona-based company operating DesignersDirect.com.

According to the complaint, Hilfiger, Polo and Nike allege that Visionary Content Management, through its DesignersDirect.com website, engaged in the sale of counterfeit Tommy Hilfiger, Polo Ralph Lauren and Nike products.

DesignerDirect.com, coming up on four years of operation, was among the first of online retailers to sell designer clothing. Errol Getner, Founder and CEO of DesignersDirect.com indicated that he had not yet seen a copy of the papers filed, and therefore could not comment on the allegations. Getner did state unequivocally, "We sell and/or stock only first quality, authentic, licensed products." Getner added that the DesignerDirect.com philosophy has always been to offer first quality, authentic, designer clothing to consumers online.

The plaintiffs are asking for monetary damages and request that the Court permanently enjoin the defendant from the unauthorized use of their trademarks.

Steven R. Gursky of Gursky & Ederer, P.C., counsel for the plaintiffs, commented, "Tommy Hilfiger, Polo Ralph Lauren and Nike continue to be very vigilant in their efforts to protect the integrity of their brands, particularly on the Internet where a number of unauthorized sellers who do not buy 'direct' from these 'designers' continue to offer counterfeit merchandise to unsuspecting consumers."

By Anndrea Vorobej