François Larose comments on trademark implications of alleged counterfeit luxury goods sales in Le Journal de Montréal

Smart & Biggar Principal François Larose was recently featured in an investigative report by Le Journal de Montréal. The story examines allegations that a professional boxer, and former Olympian, was selling purported luxury fashion items sourced from the "black market" that experts later identified as counterfeit.

The investigation involved the sale of clothing bearing well-known luxury brand names, including products purportedly associated with brands such as Louis Vuitton and Dior. Following authentication reviews, questions arose regarding the authenticity of the goods and the potential legal consequences of knowingly selling counterfeit products.

In the article, Larose explains that the unauthorized use of trademarks on counterfeit goods can expose sellers to significant legal risk, including civil and potentially criminal liability under Canadian law. His comments underscore the important role trademarks play in protecting both consumers and brand owners from deception in the marketplace.

"If a counterfeit garment bears a trademark on its label, that's a problem. A major red flag. It means the product is being passed off as someone else's goods. That's violation of trademark rights."

-François Larose

Read the full article in Le Journal de Montréal (available in French only).