Christina Wu Continues Battling Internet Piracy
New creative campaign aims to rally wedding boutiques and bridal stores.
Leading bridal designer Christina Wu continues its avid support of the efforts of the American Bridal & Prom Industry Association (ABPIA). Comprised of approximately 400 members including manufacturers, retailers, sales representatives, apparel marts, media resources, and other interested constituents of the formalwear industry, the ABPIA is a non-profit, federally recognized organization that has united these parties in a legal battle to stop foreign companies from allegedly flooding the market with counterfeit apparel. A new creative ad unveiled recently by the ABPIA aims to rally wedding boutiques and bridal stores to help in the fight against Internet piracy.
The organization’s marketing team developed the creative campaign to communicate the ABPIA’s message to the masses, via major publications, Web sites, and social media platforms. The aim is to help retailers fend off the growing problem of counterfeit apparel Web sites and the sale of inferior wedding dresses to American consumers.
“It is our responsibility to educate consumers, retailers, and the industry at large about the illegal cyber retailers and the threats they pose,” urged Arthur Huston, Christina Wu executive manager. “We are pleased with the recent court rulings, and we continue to support the ABPIA in the campaigns to raise awareness,” he added.
On January 10, 2013, The U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey entered a Preliminary Injunction enjoining the owners of a first group of specific Internet Web sites from selling counterfeit products and from using their sites to market and sell counterfeit apparel. The lawsuit (case number 3:2012cv07079) filed on November 13, 2012, by the ABPIA et al is part of the organization’s joint efforts to stop foreign companies from flooding the market with counterfeit bridal gowns and prom dresses, bypassing their American partners and going direct to consumers.
Christina Wu and the ABPIA urge collaboration among consumers, retailers, and members of formalwear industry and the general public on awareness and action against the marketing and sale of counterfeit products. Christina Wu wedding gowns can be purchased only from authorized retailers. To locate an authorized retailer or browse wedding dresses, click the “Find A Store” link at www.christinawu.net.
Sneak Peek
We’re starting our photoshoots today for our upcoming season, here’s a sneak peek behind the scenes!
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Christina Wu Takes Stand against Counterfeit Apparel Web Sites
Since the economic decline, lessening need for formal gowns, and greater competition for the shrinking market, some manufacturers of prom and bridal gowns have gone direct to consumers, bypassing their American partners. Christina Wu continues to raise awareness around this issue, supporting industry efforts to restrain the sale of counterfeit apparel. The effects of the counterfeiting epidemic on consumers, retailers, manufacturers, and the formal wear industry at large are overwhelming.
Christina Wu is taking a stand against foreign companies flooding the market with counterfeit bridal gowns and prom dresses, along with other big names in the formalwear industry. Christina Wu is a member and supporter of the American Bridal & Prom Industry Association (ABPIA), a non-profit, legal federally recognized organization that aims to bring awareness and fight the illegal importation of counterfeit products within the formalwear industry, taking their fight to federal court. The complaint states, “Defendants have registered and are using the infringing domain names with the bad faith intent to profit from these marks by fooling customers into believing defendants’ Web sites selling counterfeit products are actually selling authentic plaintiffs’ products.”
The court recently entered a preliminary injunction against the owners of the first group of specific Internet Web sites defendants, and thousands more may be added to the lawsuit. Christina Wu and the ABPIA will continue efforts to bring awareness to all consumers, retailers, and members of formal wear industry and the general public on the harm that the marketing and sale of counterfeit products can bring to consumers and fair competition.
Court Ruling Restraining Counterfeit Apparel Sites
Recent Federal Court ruling restrains illegal importation of counterfeit products in the formalwear industry.
Bridal designer Christina Wu announced that it is pleased with recent Federal Court rulings restraining Web sites allegedly involved in the sale of counterfeit apparel in the formalwear industry. On January 10, 2013, The U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey entered a Preliminary Injunction enjoining the owners of a first group of specific Internet Web sites from selling counterfeit products and from using their sites to market and sell counterfeit apparel. The lawsuit (case number 3:2012cv07079) filed on November 13, 2012, by the American Bridal & Prom Industry Association (ABPIA) et al aims to stop foreign companies from flooding the market with counterfeit bridal gowns and prom dresses, bypassing their American partners and going direct to consumers.
Christina Wu is a member and supporter of the ABPIA, a non-profit, legal federally recognized organization. Concluding that the ABPIA had demonstrated a compelling case, the Court’s Preliminary Injunction also froze assets of the defendant Web site owners, pending a final decision by the Court on the appropriate relief to be awarded to the ABPIA and its members. PayPal recovered $60,000 dollars enforcing this court order won by the efforts of ABPIA, cutting off funds to pirate Web sites.
“The true victims are the consumers,” urged Steve Lang, president of the ABPIA. “More times than not, there is no recourse for them when they try to contact the source of the dress,” he added.
Thousands of additional Web sites soon may be added to the lawsuit through a streamlined process approved by the court. Christina Wu and the ABPIA will continue efforts to bring awareness to all consumers, retailers, and members of formalwear industry and the general public on the harm that the marketing and sale of counterfeit products can bring to consumers and fair competition. Christina Wu wedding gowns can be purchased only from authorized retailers. To locate an authorized retailer or browse wedding dresses, click the “Find A Store” link at http://www.christinawu.net.
Full press release at: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/1/prweb10375638.htm
Winter Weddings & Upcoming Trend Predictions
Christina Wu and Pretty Maids Spring 2013 collections are in line with top designs from the runways and red carpets of Bridal Fashion Week and the Golden Globe Awards, and predictions for new styles and trends in the bridal industry for 2013 are underway. Black-and-white has been a favored theme for winter weddings, while upcoming trends include the illusion neckline, sleev es, and trumpeted silhouettes.
Accents in black, just a touch or all over, creates an elegant yet nontraditional style for the bride. The contrast between black and white is dramatic and stunning in Christina Wu style 15505, and style 15512 adds romantic overtones to this trend, with a pleated tulle overlay and floral bodice. Ivory or white dresses with black elements are being seen in bridesmaid dresses as well, such as short, chiffon Pretty Maids style 22553 in an ivory or white with a black satin sash or Pretty Maids style 22552, with a long A-line skirt and a belted accent at the waist.
Christina Wu also predicts some trends for upcoming seasons. A classic alternative to the strapless gown and inspired by Kate Middleton in her royal wedding, sleeved styles will be trendy in the coming season. The illusion or covered neckline will provide a feminine look for summer weddings, and the gradually fitting trumpet skirt is a more understated silhouette that will be seen in bridal gowns. Look to www.christinawu.net to browse wedding gowns and www.prettybridesmaids.com for bridesmaid dresses.
