By Jhoo Dong-chan
Korea’s largest cosmetics firm AmorePacific has filed a lawsuit against a Chinese online shopping mall for allegedly counterfeiting an official website for its affiliate Laneige to sell cosmetic products.
According to Chinese authorities, Sunday, AmorePacific sued the Chinese company for allegedly violating its trademark in January. It is the first time for a Korean company to sue a Chinese company for violation of trademark.
The Chinese online mall sold cosmetic products on its webpage, www.laneigeonline.com, as if it was an official webpage for the Korean brand in China.
As a number of Chinese consumers questioned the authenticity of their purchased products December, AmorePacific requested an investigation with Chinese authorities.
Chinese authorities said the company counterfeited Laneige’s official website as well as using a similar homepage address. The products have been found to be imported without customs examination from Korea.
AmorePacific said it filed a lawsuit because the Chinese company caused damage to its brand image as well as customers’ trust while the Chinese company rebutted their products are all genuine Laneige products imported directly from Korea.
“Laneige products sold in China should be imported and distributed through its AmorePacific corporate body in Shanghai. Those products sold via counterfeit websites are clear violation of Laneige’s trademark right, causing damage to customers’ trust in our products,” said an AmorePacific official.
It was not the first time Korean cosmetics have been a target in the black market as they have gained popularity over the past few years.
During last year’s China Beauty Expo held in Shanghai, a Chinese company officially showcased the “Soorunkor” brand, a fake product lineup imitating LG Household & Health Care’s affiliate brand Sooryehan. A number of Chinese consumers reportedly believe Soorunkor is a Korean brand.
AmorePacific’s affiliate brand Sulhwasoo has also been counterfeited under the brand name of “Sulansoo.”
In September 2015, AmorePacific teamed with Chinese authorities to raid a factory in Guangzhou to confiscate 47,000 pieces of fake goods and suspended the operation of unauthorized Sulhwasoo, Hera and Laneige stores. It also signed an MOU deal with Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba to cooperate in monitoring fake cosmetics and suspend their operations.