Chanel Wins Against Counterfeiter

LAS VEGAS (CN) - New York-based luxury brand Chanel won an $894,650 judgment against a Las Vegas businessman who counterfeited and sold fake Chanel products.

U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro on Monday ordered Anthony L. Wynn to pay the penalty for violating several Chanel trademarks.

Chanel sued Wynn in April 2014 for using its marks on counterfeited women's handbags, shoes, clothing, costume jewelry and other accessories.

Chanel said Wynn used his Las Vegas business, AJC Jewelry, to advertise, distribute and sell "substantial quantities" of "counterfeit goods with the knowledge that such goods will be mistaking for the genuine high-quality products offered for sale by Chanel."

The counterfeit goods "are virtually identical in appearance to each of Chanel's respective genuine goods" but are "different and inferior in quality" and "likely to cause confusion in the trade and among the general public" regarding their origin, Chanel said in its complaint.

Chanel said Wynn and his business "misappropriated Chanel's advertising ideas and entire style of doing business" while "conducting their counterfeiting and infringing activities ... throughout the United States."

Navarro granted default judgment and injunction. She ordered Wynn to pay $894,150 in damages and $400 in costs.

Chanel was founded in France in 1909 by fashion designer Coco Chanel.

The company grew into one of the world's most recognizable fashion brands and has been promoted by models and actresses, including Catherine Deneuve, Marilyn Monroe, Nicole Kidman and Keira Knightley, among many others.

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