Columbia Sportswear Company has been leading an aggressive campaign to eradicate counterfeiting of their products in several key markets. Columbia worked with local authorities in China, Vietnam, and Australia to seize products that included apparel and accessory items.
In July alone, Columbia seized almost 80,000 counterfeit products in a series of raids in China. Acting on a request by Columbia, Chinese officials in Yiwu City, Zhejiang Province staged a raid that yielded nearly 45,000 pairs of counterfeit Columbia pants. Other July raids uncovered an additional 34,000 garments, including parkas, ball caps, and fishing vests.
Efforts to expand Columbia's anti-counterfeiting program in Vietnam led to the shut-down of three workshops manufacturing bogus backpacks. According to the Tan Thoi Nhat Ward District 12 officials, this was the area's largest raid to date of counterfeit product.
Additionally, during the first half of the year, activities in Australia have resulted in the seizure of counterfeit apparel valued at one million dollars. The identification of significant importation and local distribution chains of counterfeit goods and the successful conclusion of Australian Federal court proceedings against a well-known chain of local retail outlets have sent a clear message that Columbia will continue to act aggressively against local counterfeiting operations.
“The increasing global recognition of our brand has made it a valuable target for these counterfeiting operations,” said Tim Boyle, president and CEO of Columbia Sportswear. “We will not sit back while others profit with the sale of low quality products masquerading as authentic Columbia merchandise. Thanks to the efforts of numerous enforcement agencies partnering with us around the world, we have raised the profile of our anti-counterfeiting programs and our commitment to halt these criminal operations.”
These actions by Columbia Sportswear and local officials are a part of Columbia's global campaign to protect Columbia's unique brands. Columbia coordinates the programs from its headquarters in Portland, Oregon, USA and initiates numerous operations each year.
