MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up EarlyBerta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
TechnologyOct 14, 2013
Brands win injunction in cyber counterfeiting case
Six brands under the Richemont Group umbrella recently scored a victory in what their attorney is calling a “landmark” case in the ongoing battle against an online sale of counterfeit luxury goods.
Los Angeles--Six brands under the Richemont Group umbrella recently scored a victory in what their attorney is calling a “landmark” case in the ongoing battle against the online sale of counterfeit luxury goods.
In a ruling dated Oct. 8, a judge in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California issued a summary judgment and permanent injunction against Saudi Arabia-based Sawabeh Information Services Co. (SISCOM) and Pakistan-based TradeKey (Pvt.) Ltd. effectively barring SISCOM-owned websites from selling merchandise bearing the Cartier, Montblanc, Panerai, A. Lange & Söhne, Chloè and Alfred Dunhill trademarks.
The brands’ attorney Susan M. Kayser, a partner at Jones Day in Washington, said the ruling is significant because, in the past, defendants in these types of cases argued that they couldn’t be held liable for counterfeit goods sold on their sites unless they received notice of a specific infringing listing.
One of the most well-known cases in this arena was the lengthy legal battle between Tiffany & Co. and online auction site eBay, a case in which the courts eventually ruled that eBay was not responsible for trademark violations when its users sold counterfeit Tiffany merchandise via the site.
“Our position was, you have knowledge,” Kayser said. “You have knowledge because you are aware of what’s going on on your website. You are allowing and facilitating these counterfeiters on this site and this can’t be allowed. You have to take responsibility for what’s on your website.”
“This is very different from Tiffany v. eBay. We think it’s a big victory for brand owners and consumers."
However, SISCOM’s attorney, Erik Syverson at Miller Barondess LLP in Los Angeles, said he and his clients completely disagree with the court’s ruling and, in their eyes, the case is not settled. He said they “considering all options” going forward.
“Followed to its logical conclusion, this ruling requires websites that permit user-generated advertising to proactively screen for infringing or counterfeit items listed for sale. That is not the law. The law has always required that trademark owners perform such a function,” he said.
According to court papers filed in the case, SISCOM owns TradeKey.com and the mirror sites SaudiCommerce.com and B2BFreeZone.com. These sites function as business-to-business websites that solicit wholesale buyers and sellers worldwide to become paying members and then help them to sell products en masse.
Tipped off by what Kayser described as the “pure magnitude” of
the operation, the Richemont Group brands first filed suit against SISCOM and TradeKey in 2011, as well as against 18 individual TradeKey member sellers.
Though none of the 18 individual sellers ever answered the complaint or appeared in court, the court granted a default judgment against these sellers in April 2012, granting “very broad” injunctive relief that prevented them from using the trademarks in any listing, forcing them to turn over their domain names and granting the brands a monetary award, said Kayser.
From there, she said the Richemont labels pursued their case against SISCOM and TradeKey.
According to court papers, an investigator hired by the brands found more than 6,000 sellers offering branded products on TradeKey.com, including more than 850 offering Panerai-branded goods, 500 selling Montblanc, 1,900 offering Cartier and at least two premium members with A. Lange & Söhne-branded goods.
None of the sellers were authorized by these companies to sell genuine goods bearing their trademarks, court papers state. In addition, the investigator actually purchased five Panerai, two Montblanc and four Cartier watches from a variety of sellers on TradeKey.com, and each of the brands confirmed that these products were fakes.
As of Monday afternoon, watches and jewelry under the trademarks Cartier, A. Lange & Söhne, Montblanc and Panerai appeared to have been removed from the sites.
A search for products under those brand names pulled up either blank pages or a message that read “This page has been permanently removed!” and a link to a Product Posting Policy.
While the court issued a permanent injunction and summary judgment, the judge deferred issuing any kind of monetary award in the case.
Kayser said they plan to move separately for damages at a later time. “The big thing here is we got incredibly broad injunctive relief, which is what the client wants,” she said.
Though none of the 18 individual sellers ever answered the complaint or appeared in court, the court granted a default judgment against these sellers in April 2012, granting “very broad” injunctive relief that prevented them from using the trademarks in any listing, forcing them to turn over their domain names and granting the brands a monetary award, said Kayser.
From there, she said the Richemont labels pursued their case against SISCOM and TradeKey.
According to court papers, an investigator hired by the brands found more than 6,000 sellers offering branded products on TradeKey.com, including more than 850 offering Panerai-branded goods, 500 selling Montblanc, 1,900 offering Cartier and at least two premium members with A. Lange & Söhne-branded goods.
None of the sellers were authorized by these companies to sell genuine goods bearing their trademarks, court papers state. In addition, the investigator actually purchased five Panerai, two Montblanc and four Cartier watches from a variety of sellers on TradeKey.com, and each of the brands confirmed that these products were fakes.
As of Monday afternoon, watches and jewelry under the trademarks Cartier, A. Lange & Söhne, Montblanc and Panerai appeared to have been removed from the sites.
A search for products under those brand names pulled up either blank pages or a message that read “This page has been permanently removed!” and a link to a Product Posting Policy.
While the court issued a permanent injunction and summary judgment, the judge deferred issuing any kind of monetary award in the case.
Kayser said they plan to move separately for damages at a later time. “The big thing here is we got incredibly broad injunctive relief, which is what the client wants,” she said.
More on Technology
The Latest
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQSotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
TJS Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
ColumnistsDec 16, 2025
Beyond Unboxing: Creative Reveals to Drive Reach and EngagementHere are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.
Weekly QuizDec 11, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names 2026 Award RecipientsThe honorees include a notable jewelry brand, an industry veteran, and an independent retailer.
CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
TrendsDec 11, 2025
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
GradingDec 11, 2025
GIA to Offer Origin Determination for 3 More GemstonesStarting Jan. 1, customers can request the service for opal, peridot, and demantoid garnet.
IndependentsDec 11, 2025
Look Inside Day’s Jewelers’ Ninth StoreThe 111-year-old retailer celebrated the opening of its new location in Salem, New Hampshire, which is its third store in the state.
MajorsDec 11, 2025
Americas Gold Releases New Gold Chain CatalogThe new catalog features its most popular chains as well as new styles.
AuctionsDec 10, 2025
Francis Ford Coppola’s Watch Sells for $10.8MThe filmmaker’s personal F.P. Journe “FFC” prototype was the star of Phillips’ recent record-setting watch auction in New York.
WatchesDec 10, 2025
There’s A New Rolex Boutique in MiamiThe new location in the Design District pays homage to Miami’s Art Deco heritage and its connection to the ocean.
SurveysDec 10, 2025
Consumer Confidence Drops in November Inflations, tariffs, and politics—including the government shutdown—were among consumers’ top concerns last month.
SourcingDec 10, 2025
NAJA Announces Details for 2026 ‘Ace It’ Winter Conference“Longtime favorite” presenters, as well as first-time speakers, will lead talks and workshops at the annual event in Tucson next year.
Events & AwardsDec 10, 2025
MJSA Names 2025 Responsible Design Challenge WinnerSilas Smith of Meridian Metalworks won the challenge with his pendant that blends Australian and American landscapes.
AuctionsDec 09, 2025
‘Desert Rose’ Diamond Sells for $8.8M in Abu DhabiThe sale of the 31.68-carat, sunset-hued stone was part of Sotheby’s first series of events and auctions in Abu Dhabi.
ColumnistsDec 09, 2025
Holiday Sales Happen in December, Most Decisions Don’tMost customers who walk into your store this month have made up their minds. Your job is to validate their choice, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
TrendsDec 09, 2025
‘Once Upon a Time,’ Guzema Debuted Its Holiday CollectionThe collection features characters and motifs from Ukrainian folklore, including an enchanted mirror and a magic egg.
Events & AwardsDec 09, 2025
MJSA Showcase Pavilion Returning to JA New York The pavilion will be part of the 2026 JA New York Spring show, scheduled for March 15 to 17.
