Swedish court convicts five in counterfeit clothing case

A Swedish court has found five men guilty of infringing the trademarks of a Canadian clothing company.

The company, Canada Goose, is due to receive €80,000 ($105,000) in damages after the court convicted and sentenced the Swedish nationals, two of whom now face jail time. Guilty verdicts were passed after the court heard how the men repackaged fake jackets bought in Thailand.

Canada Goose welcomed the decision. “This is a clear victory in protecting intellectual property and consumers and it sends a strong message that counterfeiters will not be tolerated,” Kevin Spreekmeester, vice-president of global marketing at Canada Goose, said.

Spreekmeester went on the claim the fakes posed a threat to health. Earlier analysis of the fake Canada Goose jackets found the feather mulch used as a filler was coated in bacteria, fungus, mildew and even faeces, The Canadian Press reports.

Lower quality materials were used throughout the jackets, yet the Swedish counterfeiters were able to sell repackaged Canada Goose products alongside other luxury items for three years.