Louis Vuitton and Burberry Knock-off Companies Fined $2.5million

In a decision rendered this week, the conclusion of Louis Vuitton Malletier S.A. v. Singga Enterprises (Canada) Inc. saw three Canadian companies fined approximately $2.5 million for selling knock-off Louis Vuitton and Burberry handbags. Vancouver-based Singga Enterprises Inc. and Carnation Fashion Company, and Toronto-based Altec Productions were accused of “manufacturing, importing, distributing, selling and offering for sale Counterfeit and/or Infringing Items”. 

None of the defendants, with the exception of Guo (representing Carnation Fashion Company), filed any materials in response to their accusations, leaving the plaintiffs’ position and evidence almost unchallenged.

The Federal Court found that the activities of each of the Defendants were egregious. “This is particularly true with the Altec defendants, who have blatantly continued their activities notwithstanding commencement of this proceeding, and have ignored the process of this court,”  noted Russell J.

As such, compensatory damages were found to be insufficient, and an award of punitive and exemplary damages were also to be awarded against each of the defendants, notably against Singga and Altec.

According to their website, Louis Vuitton had adopted a zero tolerance policy in 2004 against counterfeiting. The company claims this has led to over 13,000 legal actions, more than 6,000 raids, over 947 arrests and the seizure of fake printing cylinders.