adidas clamps down on counterfeit trade in Middle East

In the latest event, a raid against a counterfeit trader in Saudi Arabia took place last week. The Saudi Authorities have seized more than 33,000.00 pieces of counterfeit adidas branded items ranging from children's clothing to balls. The interrogation of the defendant trader is still going on. The raided trader will face tough penalties.

adidas Salomon Emerging Markets Managing Director Mr Ralph Kotterer said:"adidas-Salomon takes issues concerning counterfeiting very seriously and will continue its action in the Middle East markets to protect it's internationally reputed brand and ultimately the customers from these illegal products.

adidas-Salomon launched a special campaign through a print advertising, warning traders against the legal complications that they may face for illegally trading in counterfeit adidas goods.

Tim Behean, Head of Intellectual Property at adidas-Salomon headquarters said: "Counterfeiting today is a sophisticated illegal international business. It is a fraud on legitimate business, which loses billions of dollars annually from counterfeiting and piracy, and it is a fraud on consumers, who believe they are purchasing genuine products."

To meet the challenges, adidas-Salomon's Intellectual Property department was established in 1997 and is responsible for all aspects of the Group's trademarks, designs and patents and not just anti-counterfeiting and litigation. The IP department consists of a team of 19 lawyers, paralegal, brand protection managers and assistants.

adidas-Salomon takes all legal measures at its disposal to fight against counterfeits and product piracy.

These include working closely with and educating customs and police authorities to improve detection and seizure of counterfeit products; working with a network of investigators and other agencies worldwide who investigate the production and distribution of counterfeit products; and initiating legal action worldwide against counterfeiters and infringers seeking the maximum available penalties.

In the last three years more than 14 million adidas counterfeits were seized and more than 10 million Euro in damages was recovered.

Almost 5 million adidas counterfeit products were seized in 2002 alone and more than 5 million Euro was recovered in compensation.