Recently, me and a friend went into a business of selling polo shirts online. But before we sold, we had to be supplied (obviously). So my friend found a man who lives in China who supplied those kinds of materials for a living.
When we got them, we knew that they might not be 100% authentic because of the price we bought them for (they were a brand name). But regardless, we started selling them via eBay. My friend had his own listings and I had my own. We didn't sell them as "authentic" but never mentioned that they were replicas (unless someone asked).
I managed to sell only about 10/50 while my friend had already sold over 50. Then my pal was approached my police and his shirts were taken away for some reason. I managed to give a refund to all my buyers in order to stay out of any legal trouble.
So I was wondering what was done wrong that got my friend into legal trouble and what will be to come with the situation. Did I do the right thing and is there a way to get my money back?
2007-05-09 13:17:50 · 6 answers · asked by Joe G. 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Logos are copyright. You can't sell this stuff if it isn't licensed. It's also illegal to import unlicensed merchandise.
Because of all those fake Rolexes, it's not just a civil lawsuit, it is a criminal offense. you'd have to prove you were pretty darn innocent to get away with this.
Good luck!
2007-05-09 13:25:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anon 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is against Federal law to buy "knock off" designer items period!!!!
It is doubly against Federal law to buy them and sell them without clearly stating that they are NOT real.
You guys are lucky if they don't charge you with several violations and fine your wallet empty. You can actually get prison for it but they probably won't through a coupla dopes in jail.
If you are going to go into business, you better know the laws first.
Do you know that Ebay can also file charges against you and you can be blocked from every accessing their website again?
2007-05-09 20:42:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you did the right thing. No, you can't get your money back. And it's possible the cops will visit you, too. It's called 'fraud,' and is not like you and your friend weren't aware there was a problem before you sold them.
2007-05-09 20:24:26 · answer #3 · answered by beez 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
he sold fakes as if they were real.
that is fraud.
people are not going to ask you all the time if they are authentic and by not disclosing in your ebay auctions that they were fakes, you committed fraud
and its against the law to sell bootlegs btw
2007-05-09 20:24:28 · answer #4 · answered by arus.geo 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think you just learned an expensive lesson here. I hope I'm wrong for your sake. But it seems to me they could get you for selling counterfit brand names. Good luck.
2007-05-09 20:26:59 · answer #5 · answered by johN p. aka-Hey you. 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
never trust anybody who sells you something from another country!
next time do a little more research before buying over seas
2007-05-09 20:25:06 · answer #6 · answered by newsgirl07az 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋