Chemist Warehouse is facing a potentially hefty damages bill after being accused of selling counterfeit Victoria's Secret perfumes in its Australian stores and online.
In a lawsuit filed in the Federal Court, Victoria's Secret claims it has samples of five brands of allegedly fake fragrances sold through Chemist Warehouse's website and by three franchisees.
From at least around September this year, fake versions of Victoria's Secret Amber Romance, Love Addict, Aqua Kiss, Pure Seduction and Coconut Passion perfumes were allegedly available for sale.
By selling its beauty products in physical stores, its website and social media like Twitter, Facebook and TikTok, Victoria's Secret claims it "enjoyed a substantial and valuable reputation and goodwill" regarding brands such as its perfumes in Australia.
With Chemist Warehouse selling products "substantially identical or deceptively similar" to the official fragrances, it is accused of riding Victoria's Secret's popularity and engaging in trademark infringement in a "flagrant and wilful disregard of Victoria's Secret's rights," the firm alleged in documents filed with the court.
False claims were also allegedly made that the counterfeit goods were the same quality as those sold by Victoria's Secret and had been approved by the beauty giant.
The firm is seeking compensation and additional damages, claiming this conduct resulted in lost sales, damage to its reputation, a dilution of consumer goodwill, and a reduction in the value of its trade marks.
Victoria's Secret is also seeking court orders restraining Chemist Warehouse from selling any of its counterfeit perfumes in the future and forcing it to hand up any fake goods currently in its possession.
