Counterfeit Crackdown: Blue Sky Aims to Prosecute Takealot Over Fake RapidLash Sales

In a significant move against counterfeit goods, Blue Sky Distribution is taking a strong stance against Takealot, South Africa's leading e-commerce platform, for enabling the sale of fake RapidLash products. RapidLash, an eyelash hair loss treatment serum developed by an American company, has its exclusive distribution rights in South Africa through Blue Sky. However, despite not being authorized to sell the product, Takealot has been found with counterfeits on its website.

Wayne La Grange, CEO of Blue Sky, has openly expressed his frustration with the situation, stating that RapidLash is sold strictly through licensed professionals. The company took proactive measures by purchasing a suspicious product from Takealot and sending it for analysis to RapidLash’s US headquarters, confirming it was mostly composed of water, hence counterfeit.

Further steps included reaching out to Takealot with details on the counterfeit merchant and sales records. Despite receiving unsatisfactory responses from the online marketplace, Blue Sky successfully identified and took legal action against the local vendor responsible for selling the counterfeit RapidLash. A cease and desist letter was issued, and according to La Grange, the vendor admitted to dealing in counterfeit merchandise during a civil case, with criminal proceedings to follow.

In light of these developments, Blue Sky intends to subpoena Takealot as part of the upcoming criminal case, demanding proof of their due diligence in combating counterfeits and full disclosure on the scope of fake sales.

Blue Sky has not limited its pursuit to the South African domain, pursuing leads up to a distributor in China. The comprehensive effort embodies the global complexity and challenge of illegal counterfeit trade. In response to Takealot's non-cooperation, Blue Sky has notified its intention to launch criminal charges against the platform and its chairperson. Takealot, under Mamongae Mahlare's executive leadership, claims to have a strict policy against counterfeit goods but has refrained from commenting on the current allegations.

The story extends beyond South African borders, with parallels drawn to Amazon and Ridge Wallet's struggle with knock-offs. Ridge Wallet CEO Sean Frank took to Twitter to highlight the e-commerce giant's seeming indifference toward patent infringement on its platform. These cases underscore a widespread issue transcending industries and geographic boundaries, where large online marketplaces grapple with the infiltration of counterfeit goods.