Classic U.S. handbag brand Coach awarded $257million in internet counterfeiting case

PUBLISHED: 14:20 EST, 2 November 2012 | UPDATED: 14:21 EST, 2 November 2012

US handbag brand Coach, known for its signature chain print, is the latest luxury fashion house celebrating a defeat against counterfeiters who have made millions by ripping off their designs and selling them for cheap.

The latest victory hopes to put another significant dent in the online trade of imitation goods, a multi-billion dollar industry that has taken over from the street vendors of old.

The classic American brand was awarded $257million in damages making it one of the largest counterfeit suits in fashion beating Burberry and Hermes which both won $100million in cases earlier this year.

Glamorous actress Gwyneth Paltrow is the face of the luxury accessories brand

The money, however, has been acknowledged as holding largely symbolic value as recuperating all funds made by illegal online vendors would be almost impossible.

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Coach will have the power to shut down over 570 domain names linked to websites that sell imitation Coach accessories and other goods but physically finding the operators and tracking down the money is another challenge.

A counterfeit 'Coach' bag ... or is it?

WWD reported that the company will be able to seize any funds relating to sales that have been held in Western Union and PayPal accounts.

In response to the recent victory, Todd Kahn, Coach's executive vice president and general counsel told the fashion daily: ‘The magnitude of this judgment underscores the severity and illegality of counterfeiting, and sends a clear message that our courts will enforce the law.’

This is the second counterfeiting lawsuit won by Coach this year.

In July the company was awarded $44million after court condemned a New York woman and daughter team for selling fake Coach goods from three different websites run from their apartment.

Linda and Courtney Allen were charged with violating the brand's trademarks on 11 types of goods for a total of 22 separate infringements.

In March True Religion Apparel won a staggering $863.9million for a similar case of internet counterfeiting.

In May, winter boot super-brand Ugg Australia received $686million in damages

The official Coach company website features its latest collection of bright leather goods

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Comments (9)

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Coach is the McDonald's of designer bags - a must-have for the minivan driving suburban soccer mom looking to impress grocery clerks. - Suzanne , Columbus, United States, 02/11/2012 21:01....hahahah so true, coach is really tacky.

- natalie , vancouver, 02/11/2012 22:56

Click to rate Rating 4

Coach classic leather handbags without the flashy logos are my favorite. They are beautifully made, mid-priced and hold up well. I completely agree with Danii from LA that I would rather have a closet full of Coach handbags than one Hermes bag.

- Emily , Los Angeles, 02/11/2012 22:21

Click to rate Rating 6

Suzanne in Columbus, what a pity you're from my hometown. I hadn't realized it was producing such ill-bred people these days. However, note that I attended a top US prep school and two Ivy League universities (and that I don't live in a suburb, drive a minivan, or have children who play soccer). My classmates and I still love Coach, especially the classic line based on the old Bonnie Cashin designs. Beautiful bags.

- Lili , Chicago, United States, 02/11/2012 22:11

Click to rate Rating 5

Suzanne who says "Coach is the McDonalds of soccer moms..." - I can afford more expensive purse but I like Coach bags for their simplicity and their prices. Any extra money I would have spent on say a European designer purse, goes into my IRA for my retirement or my travel fund. Besides, it's one of the few good things made in America!

- McIver3 , San Diego, 02/11/2012 21:37

Click to rate Rating 21

What a tacky comment, Suzanne. Sorry Coach isn't up to your snobby standards. I love my mid-priced Coach pieces. They're beautiful, well-made and affordable. I'd rather have a closet full of Coach than one small Gucci purse.

- Danii , Los Angeles, 02/11/2012 21:28

Click to rate Rating 14

I love Coach! Gwyneth not so much.

- Emma , Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, 02/11/2012 21:21

Click to rate Rating 12

I mean "FOLKS" ... and buy you designer bags, ALL of them, from a legitimate source for crying out loud. The fakes are so easily detected.

- christieW , sp, United States, 02/11/2012 21:18

Click to rate Rating 9

YAY for Coach. They have a legitimate brand and deserve to collect their just rewards ... just like LV, Gucci ...etc. To Hades w/ folkes who try to profit off of another's name ...terroists!!

- christieW , sp, United States, 02/11/2012 21:11

Click to rate Rating 10

Coach is the McDonald's of designer bags - a must-have for the minivan driving suburban soccer mom looking to impress grocery clerks.

- Suzanne , Columbus, United States, 02/11/2012 21:01

Click to rate Rating 17

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