[/floatl]Asahi: Imported Hermes knock-offs banned in Japan
Customs officials on Thursday started banning imports of bags resembling Hermes' coveted Birkin and Kelly products, the first such move based on the external appearance of a high-end brand. The measure, requested by Hermes Japon Co., was taken on the basis of the Unfair Competition Prevention Law. "To protect our intellectual property, we have sent our employees to customs to block imports in the past," an official of Hermes Japon said. "We are glad about the ban for the sake of our customers." Birkin and Kelly have been the French fashion house's signature items for several decades, ranging in price from 800,000 yen to 10 million yen. Low-priced knock-offs bearing striking resemblances to the genuine bags but without the Hermes logo have circulated widely in Japan. Many of them have been sold on the Internet. Two years ago, these counterfeits were added to a list of products covered under a system banning imports of fake brand-name products and other items, according to customs officials. But imposing such bans has not been easy because of the many conditions required, they said. A party requesting a ban, for example, must first obtain a written statement signed by the trade minister. So far, customs officials have taken the measure for only two cases--the mascot doll of American Family Life Assurance Co. of Columbus and a large-size motorcycle manufactured by Honda Motor Co.
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