Un-be-freaking-leavable…

Like I’ve said before… Louis Vuitton is well within its rights to do what it needs to do to get the counterfeits out of here.  And even, to perhaps seek sanctions for past gross negligence… But this is going too far- big time.

Basically, today the Court of Appeals upheld a June 30 ruling that has ordered eBay to stop allowing the listing of any Christian Dior, Kenzo Parfums, Guerlain and Parfums Givenchy fragrances and cosmetics on eBay France.

eBay’s is already appealing the original $63.2 million ruling on negligence in allowing Louis Vuitton counterfeits on the site… But they were trying to get an emergency injunctive order after a review of the part that forbid them from allowing sellers to list authentic LVMH perfumes (that were sold outside of Louis Vuitton’s regular, authorized distribution channels) on the site- or face the unreal DAILY fine of 50,000 euros, or $79,000.

So, the appeals court basically upheld the fine and in fact- upped the ante- ordering eBay to pay an additional $15,736!

Wow.  I mean, what would it do to the value of any luxury good- if it no longer had resale value?   A lot of people buy cars, art, jewelry (and handbags) with their inherent resale value- and even, investment value in mind.    Unreal.

Again… I’m on the egde of my seat to find out what a US Court will say in a similar situation (Tiffany & Co. v. eBay).  Any day now…

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We knew they’d appeal… but here is eBay’s official media response (From the eBay Ink blog, read more here)

The bolded parts are particularly interesting to me…

“eBay Inc issued the following statement:
If Counterfeits appear on our sites we take them down swiftly, but today’s ruling is not about our fight against counterfeit; today’s ruling is about an attempt by LVMH to protect uncompetitive commercial practices at the expense of consumer choice and the livelihood of law-abiding sellers that eBay empowers everyday.

We believe that this ruling represents a loss not only for us but for consumers and small businesses selling online, therefore we will appeal. It is clear that eBay has become a focal point for certain brand owners’ desire to exact ever greater control over e-commerce. We view these decisions as a step backwards for the consumers and businesses whom we empower everyday.

We believe that the overreach manifests itself through an attempt to impose, in France, a business model that restricts consumer choice through an anti-competitive business practice.

The ruling also seeks to impact the sale of second-hand goods as well as new genuine products, effectively reaching into homes and rolling back the clock on the Internet and liberty it has created. The attempt to use the ruling to confuse the separate issues of counterfeit and restrictive sales suggests that counterfeit suits are being used by certain brand owners as a stalking-horse issue to reinforce their control over the market.

eBay does more and more to combat counterfeit. We invest more than $20 million each year to ensure counterfeit goods are found and removed. We partner with over 18,000 brand owners around the world to identify and successfully remove counterfeit goods and employ over 2,000 people to carry out this fight on a daily basis. When we find counterfeit goods on our sites we take it down.

Overzealous enforcement of restrictive sales practices are anti-competitive and give consumers a bad deal. This is recognised by European Union policy-makers who are seeking to create a better framework for online sales to promote e-commerce in Europe. We support a free and fair market in Europe and the benefits this will bring for our sellers.

eBay will continue to fight against counterfeit and continue to fight for consumer value through the promotion of e-commerce.

What do you think?

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I love it! After all the brouhaha about MJ being a couple hours late to the Spring 2008 Louis Vuitton Paris show… and did he or did he not stick his tongue out at International Herald Tribune’s Suzy Menkes…

Marc had them “racing to their seats at the Louvre museum” as he started his Paris F/W 2008 Louis Vuitton show early! Love it!

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… to wearing fake Louis Vuitton.

Don’t get me wrong… we can’t get enough of Amy Winehouse either. It’s just that we’re hoping that with the $1,000,000 paycheck that she’s getting for doing a show for Louis Vuitton during Paris Fashion Week- she’ll somehow find it possible to replace the creative fakes she’s been seen toting around.

(No, that blue “Louie Vuitton” in the picture above isn’t a Richard Prince watercolor- it’s just a garden variety knock-off.)

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- depending on how you look at it!

It was a risky move snapping this pic out my window on the drive from Normany to Paris this Christmas! But so worth it!

If you’re looking for a sign- trying to decide between the Deauville & the Trouville… maybe we can help!

We happen to have the smaller of the two- an authentic monogram Louis Vuitton Trouville on our website right now! Sure, you could buy a new one on Eluxury for $940- but why not save just a smidge less than $400 on a gently used one from FASHIONPHILE!

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No, this isn’t the latest fragrance from Chanel… I’m referring to No 31 Rue Cambon, Paris: the personal apartment of Coco Chanel.  It’s kept the same as it was at her death in 1971.  Take a peek inside:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpinr4Uts-8]

Interesting tidbits

• the apartment smells like No. 5
• her quilted suede couch inspired her to do quilted leather
• she collected ornamental lions
• take a look at “the Milky Way”- diamonds ARE a girl’s best friend!

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**

Love this article from today’s Wall Street Journal about the huge bags everyone is wearing!

It made me think of the fab Red Hermes Birkin that Katie Holmes carried while Christmas shopping this year.

I love this quote from the article referring to a New York chiropractor/ American Chiropractic Association spokesperson:

Karen Erickson… estimates that the number of purse-related injuries and sprains she treats has risen 30% in the past year.

No wonder… ARGH, my aching back!!!

** By the way, Katie’s Birkin is actually a travel bag- but maybe she’s using it as a shopping tote- (ya know, the environmentally friendly alternative to those pesky plastic shopping bags!)

If you’re looking for one cheaper than retail… do I have the tip for you! We had the chance to meet a client of ours- Francis Elisio, who owns Des-Voyages in the fabulous antique district/ flea market in Paris this Christmas. This is NOT your grandmother’s flea market. There was literally stall after stall of authentic vintage Louis Vuitton and Hermes, Chanel etc! Walls lined in trunks and travel bags. It was amazing.

Check out his stuff here: Des Voyages.  If you are in the neighborhood- drop on by!  Tell him your friends at FASHIONPHILE sent you, and see if he as any of our trunks on stock!!!

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