Dimitris
28.12.2006, 14:30
Online auctioneer EBay [NASDAQ:EBAY] revealed today that two of its European subsidiaries have been sued by watchmaker Montres Rolex S.A. and some Rolex affiliates for alleged trademark infringement.
Rolex alleges that EBay subsidiaries EBay GMBH and EBay International AG have been, "infringing Rolex's trademarks as (a) result of users selling counterfeit Rolex watches," through EBay's German Web site, according to EBay's quarterly filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The lawsuit, which was filed in the regional court of Cologne, Germany, also alleges unfair competition, EBay said. The company added that Rolex is seeking an order forbidding the sales of Rolex watches on the EBay Web site as well as damages.
EBay said in a statement that it, "believes that it has meritorious defenses against this claim and intends to defend itself vigorously."
Company spokesperson Kevin Purseglove told Newsbytes that Rolex is a member of an EBay program called VeRO, or verified rights owner program, in the United States.
VeRO allows companies to request items be removed from EBay. According to EBay's Web site, VeRO "works to ensure that items listed for auction do not infringe upon the copyright, trademark or other intellectual property rights of third parties. VeRO Program participants may identify and request removal of allegedly infringing auction listings."
Purseglove said EBay has a similar program in Germany, where it is known by the German acronym VeRI. "Rolex elected not to enroll in VeRI," he said.
Purseglove insisted that EBay is not concerned about the lawsuit.
"We remain confident that our policies through the VeRO program meet and exceed legal requirements in Germany. We look forward to the opportunity to present our views to a German court," he said.
Rolex representatives did not return phone calls at press time.
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articl...15/ai_74573270
Rolex alleges that EBay subsidiaries EBay GMBH and EBay International AG have been, "infringing Rolex's trademarks as (a) result of users selling counterfeit Rolex watches," through EBay's German Web site, according to EBay's quarterly filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The lawsuit, which was filed in the regional court of Cologne, Germany, also alleges unfair competition, EBay said. The company added that Rolex is seeking an order forbidding the sales of Rolex watches on the EBay Web site as well as damages.
EBay said in a statement that it, "believes that it has meritorious defenses against this claim and intends to defend itself vigorously."
Company spokesperson Kevin Purseglove told Newsbytes that Rolex is a member of an EBay program called VeRO, or verified rights owner program, in the United States.
VeRO allows companies to request items be removed from EBay. According to EBay's Web site, VeRO "works to ensure that items listed for auction do not infringe upon the copyright, trademark or other intellectual property rights of third parties. VeRO Program participants may identify and request removal of allegedly infringing auction listings."
Purseglove said EBay has a similar program in Germany, where it is known by the German acronym VeRI. "Rolex elected not to enroll in VeRI," he said.
Purseglove insisted that EBay is not concerned about the lawsuit.
"We remain confident that our policies through the VeRO program meet and exceed legal requirements in Germany. We look forward to the opportunity to present our views to a German court," he said.
Rolex representatives did not return phone calls at press time.
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articl...15/ai_74573270