80% Of Louis Vuitton Contraband Removed

Clampdown on counterfeit goods praised

80% of Louis Vuitton contraband removed

BANGKOK: The group that owns the luxury brand Louis Vuitton has commended the Thai government's crackdown on counterfeit products, which it says has resulted in the removal of up to 80% of contraband Louis Vuitton goods from key tourist spots in the last three months.

Philippe van Eeckhout, the LVMH Fashion Group's head of anti-counterfeiting for Asia Pacific, said he was very satisfied with the results.

He added that though it would be impossible for all fake Louis Vuitton good to disappear from the market, it would be great if the counterfeit supply was kept at a minimum.

Mr van Eeckhout yesterday also called on Commerce Minister Watana Muangsook to express his appreciation.

LVMH Fashion Group, which distributes other top fashion brands as well, joined with other international trademark right holders in September to sign an agreement with the National Police Office and the Customs Department.

Under the pact, Thai authorities agreed to take serious action, in collaboration with

international rights holders, against distributors and producers of counterfeit products for a three-month period from Sept 12 to Dec 15.

According to agreement, the Thai government and the rights holders had set a target to eradicate the visibility of copycat products from seven major tourist areas by up to 60% in the first month, 70% in the second month and at least 80% in the third month.

The seven spots are popular destinations for international tourists including Patpong, Maboonkhrong, and Sukhumvit Road between sois 3 and 19 in Bangkok as well as Phuket, Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Hat Yai.

``Our goal was reached,'' said Satyapon Sachdecha, the lawyer who represents the Louis Vuitton's anti-counterfeiting team in Thailand.

Mr Satyapon said the government recently had agreed to extend the period of strict counterfeiting suppression for another month.

According to Mr van Eeckhout, it is impossible to quantify the damage caused to his company by counterfeiters, but the concrete impact is the devaluation of Louis Vuitton's brand image.

Most counterfeit Louis Vuitton products distributed in Asia, particularly in Thailand, are produced in China.

Counterfeit Louis Vuitton products, he said, could be recognised by their inferior quality.

Also, the prices are much cheaper, and they are not distributed in Louis Vuitton outlets.

There are now three Louis Vuitton stores in Thailand: in the Emporium shopping complex, Gaysorn and the Oriental Hotel.

--Agencies 2003-12-24