As Seen On TV marketers Allstar Marketing Group, Ideavillage Products Corp. and Ontel Products Corp. have sued Amazon.com Inc., alleging trademark infringement by allowing counterfeit product sold through Amazon’s website, according to published reports.
Allstar, Ideavillage and Ontel claim in the suit to have lost profits because of lower-priced counterfeit products sold on Amazon.com that consumers believe are the genuine products marketed by the plaintiff As Seen On TV companies, according to published reports.
Plaintiff products mentioned in the published reports include Snuggie blankets by Allstar, Copper Fit compression garments by Ideavillage and Magic Tracks toy race car sets by Ontel.
The plaintiffs’ suit further notes, according to reports, the harm to the reputation of the plaintiffs and their products caused by negative reviews of the allegedly counterfeit products from companies in China, Japan, Thailand and other countries.
The lawsuit also accuses Amazon of copyright infringement and violating New York state false advertising and unfair competition laws, according to published reports.
The plaintiffs seek to recoup unspecified lost profits and punitive damages in the millions of dollars, according to reports. Amazon declined comment, citing pending litigation, according to reports.
According to Amazon’s anti-counterfeiting policy, posted on its website: “The sale of counterfeit products, including any products that have been illegally replicated, reproduced, or manufactured, is strictly prohibited… It is each seller’s responsibility to source and sell only authentic products. If you sell counterfeit goods, we may immediately suspend or terminate your selling privileges and destroy inventory in our fulfillment centers without reimbursement.”
