Avery Products sues alleged counterfeiters over label fakes

The lawsuit, filed in November in Ohio state court, outlines what Avery Products calls ‘a fraudulent counterfeiting scheme’ that has ‘confused and upset Avery customers’ and ‘caused irreparable reputational harm.’

Avery Products was able to identify alleged counterfeit products after receiving consumer complaints about defective Avery labels and office supply products that were purchased online. The products came boxed in what appeared to be Avery packaging, but did not perform like Avery labels, the company says in the lawsuit.

According to the court filing obtained by Labels & Labeling, Avery Products alleges that at least six unknown companies or individuals are selling products on websites that are unauthorized to sell Avery branded products. These companies and individuals are selling alleged counterfeits on Amazon and other websites such as StationersSupply, ShoppingCities, Literaturenet, OfficeMall, RapidRobot, Carnival of Sorts and Shop Easy, the lawsuit states.

The products feature Avery trademarks that look seemingly identical to genuine Avery products.

Avery Products was unable to identify the sellers, but is seeking both compensation and punitive damages to be leveled against the alleged counterfeiters. Avery Products also seeks to immediately stop these companies from selling Avery knock-offs.

‘We simply will not tolerate such activity,’ said Jim Sellors, president of Avery North America. ‘Our goal is to let consumers know that when they purchase Avery labels, they’re getting the outstanding product quality to which they have become accustomed.’

Avery Products is offering consumers who suspect they might have purchased counterfeit Avery products to return and replace the counterfeits free of charge. Those customers should call Avery Customer Care at 800-462-8379.