NIKE WINS PITTANCE IN CHINESE COUNTERFEIT LAWSUIT

Think this is an isolated case of counterfeiting? Google "counterfeit Nike" and check out the results, or check out this link to an official Chinese customs site that details efforts to catch counterfeiters. The picture below is of 55,000 counterfeit goods confiscated in Tianjin, China.


From USA Today:

Nike has won lawsuits against two Chinese shoemakers and the local operations of a French supermarket chain over alleged illegal copying of its Air Jordan logo, a court official said Tuesday.

The Shanghai No. 2 Intermediate Court awarded Nike, the world's largest sports apparel company, a total of 350,000 yuan ($46,100) in damages from Jinjiang Longzhibu Shoe Co., Jinjiang Kangwei Shoe Co. and retailer Auchan, the official Xinhua News Agency and other reports said.

The case was the latest victory for foreign companies seeking protection from rampant theft of copyrights and other intellectual property in China. Regardless of laws against commercial piracy, counterfeit copies of most products can be easily found in Chinese stores and markets.

Nike said its employees found shoes made by the companies being sold for about 100 yuan ($13) a pair in outlets operated by the Auchan chain in Shanghai and the nearby city of Ningbo. Authentic Air Jordans sell for many times that amount.