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Microtech Sues Online Retailer over Counterfeits

October 18, 2017

Microtech is suing online retailer Global Tactical Supply for allegedly selling and marketing counterfeit Microtech knives.

According to the complaint, filed this month in the U.S. District Court for Western Pennsylvania, Global Tactical Supply “has sold merchandise, and in particular knives, using the Microtech Trademark and other trademarks owned or assigned to Microtech.” Microtech’s complaint includes a screen capture of Global Tactical Supply’s website that depicts an OTF with the Screaming Eagle mark on the blade and the Microtech “M” on the clip described as “Carbon Fiber OTF Knife” by Global Tactical Supply.

“The counterfeit merchandise bearing [Microtech’s] registered marks sold by Defendant Global is neither manufactured nor approved by Microtech,” the suit alleges. The product in question no longer appears on the Global Tactical Supply website.

The complaint goes on to claim that knives bearing Microtech trademarks were marketed through Global Tactical Supply’s social media channels. Cited trademarks in this regard include the Troodon, Scarab, and “Anthony L. Marfione” signature. “Defendant’s conduct in selling counterfeit merchandise is intended, and likely, to cause the purchasing public to believe that the defendant’s said merchandise is manufactured, authorized, approved, or sponsored by Microtech,” Microtech states in its lawsuit.

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Microtech is seeking relief for the monetary damages incurred, as well as for Global Tactical Supply to account for all infringing merchandise acquired and sold, including information concerning the sources of these products. It further seeks to have all offending merchandise surrendered for destruction.

In 2014, Microtech implemented packaging that owners could scan with a phone app to verify the authenticity of a product. Last year, multiple large shipments of counterfeit Microtech products were seized by U.S. Customs after the company reached out to the agency and taught them how to identify illegitimate products. Spyderco is also taking on outdoor retailer Kittery Trading Post as well as eCommerce titan eBay for the sale of counterfeits.

Knife featured in image: Microtech 142-2OD Combat Troodon

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