Louis Vuitton Awarded $1.4 Million in Canadian Copyright Case

The Federal Court of Canada awarded the largest judgment ever in a trademark counterfeiting and copyright case, with $1.4 million to Louis Vuitton and $1.1 million to its co-plaintiffs Burberry Limited and Burberry Canada Inc., for a total judgment of CAD $2.5 million.

Louis Vuitton and Burberry filed the action last year against Singga Enterprises (Canada) Inc., and Carnation Fashion Company, both based in Burnaby, B.C., Altec Productions, based in Markham, Ontario, and their respective owners and operators, major importers, distributors and on line sellers.

The companies sold counterfeit and infringing fashion accessories, specifically handbags, bearing Louis Vuitton trade-marks and copyrights and Burberry trade-marks since June 2008.

The Court found the defendants were involved in large-scale, sophisticated manufacturing operations in China and were importing vast amounts of counterfeit products into Canada with the intent of selling them nationwide in stores, at gift shows, and on line.

Finding the situation “egregious,” the Court also granted the highest punitive damages award of its kind in a counterfeiting case in Canada.

Source: Louis Vuitton