Alibaba said that the new alliance "aims to pool resources and increase collaboration to promote a safe and healthy global e-commerce ecosystem where brands are protected from IP pirates" with the assistance of the advanced technology that it has created and the input from member brands who will share their IP authentication knowledge and anti-counterfeiting data.
With regards to Louis Vuitton and Alibaba specifically, the announcement shows a new willingness on both parts to work together moving forward, in contrast to last year when Vuitton filed a legal suit at Beijing's Haidian District Court regarding the sale of counterfeit goods on TaoBao, Alibaba's e-commerce marketplace. Alibaba has since announced its own intention to file legal proceedings against third-party users on Alibaba platforms selling unauthorised product.
Also last year, Alibaba was embroiled in controversy when the IACC (International Anti Counterfeit Coalition) suspended its membership, one week after big-name brands - including Gucci, Michael Kors and Tiffany & Co - were said to have departed the coalition as a direct result of Alibaba being admitted.
"The only way to solve the complex, industry-wide issue of counterfeiting is through strong industry collaboration and we believe that intermediaries, like Alibaba, must be an integral part of the solution," said Jennifer Kuperman, head of international corporate affairs at Alibaba Group, at the time. "Whether or not we are a member of the IACC, we will continue our productive and results-oriented relationships with brands, governments and all industry partners."
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