Kering, the Paris-based parent company of a number of major clothing makers—sued Alibaba Group, the prominent e-commerce company, accusing the firm of profiting from counterfeit goods by allowing their sale on its website. It was sued by the parent company of Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent this week. The move comes roughly a month after the American Apparel & Footwear Association complained to the United States Trade Representative about Alibaba enabling the sale of counterfeit goods.
“This lawsuit is part of Kering’s ongoing global effort to maintain its customers’ trust in its genuine products and to continue to develop the creative works and talents in its brands,” the company said in a statement on the lawsuit. “For much of the past year, AAFA has been working with representatives of Alibaba to address these concerns,” AAFA President and CEO Juanita Duggan stated.
