Ad agency hits back against fakes on Facebook suit

An online advertising agency has hit back against its inclusion in a lawsuit about the promotion of fake goods on Facebook.

In a filing with a US court, adSage played down its role in the placement of adverts for counterfeit goods on Facebook. Sportswear retailer Krystal’s NFL Shoppe linked adSage to the activity last year in a lawsuit it filed against the ad agency, Facebook and online marketplace DHgate.com.

Krystal's filed the lawsuit after online adverts for apparently fake NFL jerseys began appearing next to the Facebook page it uses to promote its legitimate products. The clash is reported to have confused some customers.

adSage was implicated because it provides software that helps Chinese companies advertise on Facebook. Krystal’s feels this makes adSage a legitimate target in its court case. adSage disagrees.

In its court filing the agency writes: "adSage simply created a software product that companies and individuals can download and use – without adSage’s participation or assistance – to place their own advertisements on Google, Facebook, or other websites."