Luxottica moves to curb fake Ray-Bans

The company has converted the Indian Ray-Ban website into an ecommerce platform. Previously, the website functioned only as a reference point.Ray-Ban is the latest among a host of global firms, including Puma and Adidas, that have launched their own ecommerce platforms in India, at a time when online retailing is growing rapidly in the country.Ray-Ban has taken a larger hit due to the proliferation of fake products offered on online platforms. Last year, Luxottica took ShopClues.com to the Delhi High Court, accusing the website of hosting counterfeit products and misleading customers by offering heavy discounts.In January this year, Luxottica also filed cases against a host of online retailers, including Craftsvilla and Stylyway, for allegedly marketing fake Ray-Ban products, according to the Delhi High Court website.Last month, the company received a court injunction to stop a local firm from allegedly copying Oakley eyewear products that are worn and endorsed by cricketers Mr Virat Kohli and Mr Yuvraj Singh. Luxottica is fully committed against counterfeiting, and this is donstrated by the implentation of numerous activities: from the constant monitoring of the main counterfeit product suppliers to the partnership with local law enforcent and custom operations to seize the products, and ultimately the activation of legal actions against perpetrators, Mr Akash Goyle, country manager for Luxottica India, said.Since Novber 2015, India has allowed global, single-brand retailers – companies that sell its under one label – to offer their products through company-owned ecommerce portals.Ray-Ban appointed Bengaluru-based firm Ace Turtle to manage its online platform. Ace Turtle also manages websites for fashion and lifestyle brands Puma, Flying Machine and French Connection, and furniture seller Evok, among others.