Category: Media Mentions

IP Partner Brian Brokate was quoted in the article “Will Walmart’s Birkin Gambit Be Worth It in the End?” for the World Intellectual Property Review which explores French luxury brand Hermès® and Walmart’s lookalike “Wirkin’ bag. According to the article, priced at $78-100, the budget-friendly bag mimics the aesthetic of the original Birkin, which ranges from $10,000 to over $500,000.

Brian shares his thoughts on trade dress infringement considerations. The article states that Brian “believes that while the budget chain could face legal action for trade dress infringement and potential dilution of the Birkin brand, he agrees it could offer a strong counter argument: the Wirkin may be a dupe but isn’t duping anyone.

Brian is also quoted, stating “Walmart’s likely first defense would be that this is not an infringement, but rather a ‘copy’ product: we’re not trying to confuse anyone – we’re offering a product priced around $80, while a Birkin costs thousands. No one will mistake the two.”

Read the full article.

IP Partner Angelo Mazza was a featured guest on the IP Fridays Podcast with hosts Ken Suzan and Dr. Rolf Claessen. Angelo is featured on Episode 153: Experience With US Customs (CBP) – E-Commerce and the De Minimis Rule For Counterfeit Goods – MOU With US Chamber – Interview with Angelo Mazza.

Listen to the full episode.

Episode Overview:
In this episode, Angelo discusses his over 30 years of experience with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and discussed emerging intellectual property issues, including evolving threats and e-commerce, the de minimis rule and the increase in counterfeit goods and CBP customs’ efforts and operations. He also discusses how rights holders can protect themselves and shares success stories where CBP’s efforts have led to the seizure of millions of dollars worth of counterfeit goods and the shutdown of operations exploiting the de minimis rule. Angelo also shares insights on the US Chamber’s Memorandum of Understanding with CBP, a a collaboration which allows brands to share worldwide seizure information, which aids in risk assessment and targeting counterfeit goods.

IP Partner Angelo Mazza was quoted in the article “When Did Counterfeit Become Cool?” in Loss Prevention Magazine. The article explores the rise of counterfeit products in the retail industry.

Angelo notes that the “quality of the counterfeits has improved over the years as certain technologies become more available and cheaper to use” and that the “internet and the boost from the pandemic significantly improved the ability of sellers to reach and sell to consumers directly.”

Angelo also discusses recent legislation to combat counterfeiting and best practices and strategies for brands to to protect against anticounterfeiting.

Read the full article here.

Podcast Anyone? While participating at the CCROC Conference last month, IP Partner Angelo Mazza was a featured guest on the The Protectors Podcast presented by the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators (IAFCI) for the episode: A Pirate’s Ransom: The Battle Against Intellectual Property Theft. Angelo joined hosts Mike and Mark to discuss intellectual property crimes and scams, and how to protect a brand’s most valuable IP assets.

Episode Overview:
According to the Commission on the Theft of American Intellectual Property, the theft of trade secrets costs the U.S. between $180 billion and $540 billion annually. And with advanced technology and the Internet, stealing intellectual property has become easier than ever before. Intellectual Property, or IP, can be movies, music, content on the web, software, patents, and more.

Today’s episode of The Protectors Podcast is brought to you from the 2023 CCROC Conference in Chicago, IL. Mike and Mark sit down with Attorney Angelo Mazza. Angelo is an expert in the field of Intellectual Property Theft, with over three decades of experience battling the ever-evolving challenges that artists, inventors, and creators face. As a legal expert, lecturer, and advocate, Angelo has been at the forefront of protecting intellectual property rights, ensuring that the creative minds behind innovations and artistic works receive the recognition and compensation they deserve.

Whether you’re an aspiring artist, a tech entrepreneur, or simply curious about the evolving landscape of intellectual property, our podcast will provide you with the knowledge and insights to navigate this intricate terrain.