Facts

Coach Inc. launched an investigation after the U.S. Customs and Border Protection advised Coach that it had seized a large shipment of Coach handbags and wallets headed for the Port of Los Angeles. Coach discovered that a Customs brokerage firm had created and filed fraudulent customs entry documents to allow the counterfeit products to be shipped into the country. Most importers hire customs brokerage firms to handle the paperwork required for the importation of goods.

Coach sued Celco Customs Service Co., Shen Wang and others, alleging violations of the Lanham Act, Tariff Act, Unfair Competition Laws, and trademark infringement.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiffs contended that defendants, in the course of providing Customs brokerage services to the importers of these counterfeit goods, knowingly and willfully filed fraudulent entry papers with Customs to permit the importation of the counterfeit goods.

Plaintiffs contended that this action rendered defendants contributorily liable for trademark infringement.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
Defendants denied having any knowledge of the counterfeit nature of the goods.

Result

The jury awarded Coach $8 million in the counterfeiting case.

Deliberation

half day

Length

three days