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"Non-authorized" or "counterfeit" item purchased on ebay

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Dart

Junior Member
What is the name of your state? California

A friend of mine bought a couple of products on ebay (from a seller in europe). When they arrived they appeared to be genuine. After a couple of incidents on ebay concerning similar products, the manufacturer was contacted to have them authenticated. This took a few months.

They were found to be (as the letter was given from the manufacturer) an infringement on their trademark and copyright rights. The products were turned over to the manufacturer.

Paypal and the credit card companies were given all information, an investigation was done and the credit card companies, through a chargeback procedure, returned my friends money. The manufacturer was able to maintain custody of the unauthorized copes.

Recently, my friend received a letter through the mail from the european sellers "attorney" who is located in the USA. He says he has been retained to get this sellers money back and has demanded the money be returned to the seller.

We have the following:

1) A seller in Europe
2) An Attorney in a state (other than California) in the USA
3) Credit card companies that returned the money to my friend after confirming with the manufacturer that they were not authorized
4) My friend has a letter from manufacturer stating the products are no good
5) The demand for repayment is less than $1000.00

The European seller claims he has no idea why the chargeback was made. My friend was advised by the credit card company and Paypal not to talk to this european seller.

What could be the ramification if my friend does not respond to the european seller and/or his USA attorney?

Could the seller in europe be guilty of a crime for sending unauthorized products into the USA for distribution?

Does he have a leg to stand on and should my friend acknowledge or converse with this USA attorney?

Thank You!
 


JustAPal00

Senior Member
The ramifications could be that the person sues your friend. Your friend will win hands down! That person sold a counterfit item which is illeagal and now wants to sue tour friend in court to collect payment that was confiscated? Whats next drug dealers turning people over to collections for unpaid drug debts? If I were your friend I wouldn't worry!

Yes that person broke the law!

Wait until you actually get documents instructing you that a suit has ben filed.
 
Last edited:

Dart

Junior Member
Thank you JustAPal00 - sounds like good input. I will pass this on to my friend **************..
 

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