Copied from 6/10 Chicago Tribune:
By David Glovin
Bloomberg News
Published June 9, 2006, 5:06 PM CDT
Fendi SpA, known for its monogrammed handbags and leather goods, sued Wal-Mart Stores Inc., claiming the world's largest retailer sells counterfeit handbags and wallets in its Sam's Club warehouse stores.
In a lawsuit filed today in federal court in New York, Fendi, a unit of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA, says Sam's Club is selling fake Fendi handbags for up to $525. The authentic product retails for $900, Fendi says. Paris-based LVMH is the world's largest luxury-goods maker.
Sam's Club is selling ``handbags, shoulder bags, purses, wallets and key chains'' that ``imitate the designs of the Fendi products'' and carry imitation Fendi trademarks, the complaint says.
Wal-Mart Chief Executive Officer H. Lee Scott said this month that his company will add more items for affluent shoppers, as it seeks to alter its image as a destination for lowest-cost items.
Fendi says in its trademark infringement suit that Wal-Mart has earned millions of dollars by selling the knockoffs in stores in New York, California, Illinois and Florida. The company seeks undetermined damages and a ruling blocking Wal-Mart from selling the copies.
Fendi identified 12 alleged knockoffs that Wal-Mart is selling in its Sam's Club stores. A counterfeit wallet is on sale for $199, the suit says. The retail price for the genuine article is $385, the suit says.
John Simley, a spokesman for Bentonville, Arkansas-based Wal-Mart didn't immediately return a call.
By David Glovin
Bloomberg News
Published June 9, 2006, 5:06 PM CDT
Fendi SpA, known for its monogrammed handbags and leather goods, sued Wal-Mart Stores Inc., claiming the world's largest retailer sells counterfeit handbags and wallets in its Sam's Club warehouse stores.
In a lawsuit filed today in federal court in New York, Fendi, a unit of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA, says Sam's Club is selling fake Fendi handbags for up to $525. The authentic product retails for $900, Fendi says. Paris-based LVMH is the world's largest luxury-goods maker.
Sam's Club is selling ``handbags, shoulder bags, purses, wallets and key chains'' that ``imitate the designs of the Fendi products'' and carry imitation Fendi trademarks, the complaint says.
Wal-Mart Chief Executive Officer H. Lee Scott said this month that his company will add more items for affluent shoppers, as it seeks to alter its image as a destination for lowest-cost items.
Fendi says in its trademark infringement suit that Wal-Mart has earned millions of dollars by selling the knockoffs in stores in New York, California, Illinois and Florida. The company seeks undetermined damages and a ruling blocking Wal-Mart from selling the copies.
Fendi identified 12 alleged knockoffs that Wal-Mart is selling in its Sam's Club stores. A counterfeit wallet is on sale for $199, the suit says. The retail price for the genuine article is $385, the suit says.
John Simley, a spokesman for Bentonville, Arkansas-based Wal-Mart didn't immediately return a call.
