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David Beckham‘s $1billion lawsuit over counterfeit goods has reportedly inspired other celebrities including Harry Styles to pursue similar actions.
The former footballer, 50, last year won a massive legal battle against several counterfeiters who were found to be selling fake versions of his designer gear online.
David, who has put his name to clothing, fragrances, and accessories, is the director of DB Ventures which had been seeking a staggering £1.58billion from 150 internet sellers.
Case files revealed the fraudsters were selling the fake goods on sites including Amazon, eBay, and Etsy by firms or individuals based in China or elsewhere in Asia.
In the wake of this, The Sun reports that it has inspired other stars to follow the same legal path.
They claim that Harry is now taking on dodgy online vendors for millions, according to paperwork filed in the US.
David Beckham’s $1billion lawsuit over counterfeit goods has reportedly inspired other celebrities including Harry Styles to pursue similar actions
It’s been reported that Harry is now taking on dodgy online vendors for millions, according to paperwork filed in the US
The publication reports that his lawsuit says the activity harms ‘the widespread fame, outstanding reputation, and significant goodwill associated with the Harry Styles brand [which] have made the Harry Styles trademarks invaluable assets’.
Merch Traffic LLC who work on Harry’s merchandise in the states are thought to have brought the action and are also working with the likes of Metallica, Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails, Hozier, Tate McRae and The Ramones on similar claims.
A source told the publication: ‘Seeing David’s successful claim has got everyone fired up, and so many acts are now getting involved.
‘These artists do not want poor-quality rip- offs of their merch being sold because fans think it has come from them, when in fact it has come from some backstreet dealer cashing in on their name.
‘The more success they have, the more likely they are to start properly stamping out these cowboys for good.’
Representatives for David and Harry have been contacted by The Daily Mail for comment.
Last April it was revealed that David won a massive £240million legal battle against several counterfeiters.
The former footballer, 50, last year won a massive legal battle against several counterfeiters who were found to be selling fake versions of his designer gear online (seen promoting Eyewear by David Beckham)
Case files revealed the fraudsters were selling the fake goods on sites including Amazon, eBay, and Etsy by firms or individuals based in China or elsewhere in Asia
He had been seeking a staggering £1.58billion from 150 internet sellers.
The items consisted of designer clothing, footwear, perfume, hair and body products, posters, footballs, video games, eyewear, jewellery, and watches.
The complaint said: ‘Their sale poses a real threat to DBV’s brand, and affects the sustainability of its business.
‘It also affects individuals and companies who unwittingly purchase them.’
The paperwork filed in the US also claimed the dodgy sales ‘erode the brand’s reputation’ and costs the company ‘considerable lost sales and harm’.
DB Ventures enlisted the expertise of trademark specialists, The Sladkus Law Group, to put an end to the illicit sales.
In the filing, partner Jeffrey Sladkus explained that tracking the sites was challenging due to their lack of accurate address or phone number information.
He emphasised that legal threats were the sole effective method to halt their activities.