Counterfeit at the fair?

I go to the State Fair for one reason: to stuff my face with all the delicious, fatty fair food. I’ve seen the booths filled with leather goods, old-fashioned signs, and clothes, but never bought anything. I usually don’t give these booths a second glance, but yesterday something caught my eye.

I noticed what appeared to be Coach purses hanging up in one of the vendor’s booths. I saw several bags that from afar had that “C” logo stitched in or had similar designs as the real things. I, as a seasoned shopper, know you can’t buy a real Coach handbag at a fair.

I didn’t stop to get a closer look, but thought if they look like a Coach bag from where I was standing, the seller must be trying to pass the bags off as the real thing or evoke the style enough that people want to buy.

I don’t know the rules and policies that dictate what vendors can sell at the fair, but I would think something sold at the State Fair should have to be legal. Counterfeit and knock-off bags are illegal and Coach is pretty fierce in protecting their trademark look. They even have a place on their website where you can report fake bags.

There are plenty of legal issues that can come up during the State Fair. Check out the next issue of Indiana Lawyer for a story on these issues.