Chris “Sully” Sullivan of L-Acoustics searches for counterfeit L-Acoustics product in the warehouse of Se7ven Sounds Music, Inc during a raid to seize fake products – photo courtesy Zack Wittman
An investigation led by L-Acoustics late last year resulted in the seizure of 136 counterfeit products from Tampa-based rental company Se7ven Sounds Music, Inc. Along with the seizure, L-Acoustics filed a complaint against Se7ven Sounds for trademark infringement, counterfeiting and unfair competition. This month, the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division ordered Se7ven Sounds Music to pay damages of $5 Million US dollars to L-Acoustics. L-Acoustics also won the right to destroy the 136 counterfeit products confiscated during the investigation.
The final judgment holds that the “defendants infringed the L-Acoustics Trademarks by intentionally and willfully engaging in the unauthorized manufacturing, importation, offering for sale and/or rental, and sale and/or rental of goods in interstate commerce imitating the design of L-Acoustics products and bearing counterfeit L-Acoustics Trademarks.”
Marcus Ross and Chris “Sully” Sullivan of L-Acoustics inspect counterfeit L-Acoustics product in the warehouse of Se7ven Sounds Music, Inc before confiscation – photo courtesy Zack Wittman
L-Acoustic’s announcement states, “A judgment of this magnitude is a first in the professional audio industry. It confirms the absolute importance L-Acoustics places on deterring the manufacture, sale, and rental of fake L-Acoustics products and serves as a warning to those who contemplate infringing the company’s IP rights. L-Acoustics lauds the US justice system and especially the United States District Court, Tampa Division, for recognizing the noxious effects of counterfeiting on the quality and safety of the events industry. The filed complaint for ‘trademark counterfeiting and infringement, false designation of source origin, unfair competition, and deceptive acts or practices under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, common law trademark infringement, and common law unfair competition’ is a milestone in L-Acoustics’ ongoing anti-counterfeiting mission.”
A police officer in the warehouse of Se7ven Sounds Music, Inc aids the confiscation of counterfeit L-Acoustics loudspeakers – photo courtesy Zack Wittman
For years, L-Acoustics has fought against counterfeiting. “Our customers and clients must have confidence in the L-Acoustics name and the integrity of our products and of our worldwide network of certified partners,” says Laurent Ostojski, Senior Legal Counsel at L-Acoustics. “We have zero tolerance for counterfeiting and this judgment makes it clear that not only manufacturing counterfeit equipment but also renting and selling fakes is illegal and punishable by law. It sends a strong message to service providers who profit by deceiving end-users and promoters by providing inferior and unsafe counterfeit equipment.”
This final judgment comes on the heels of a cease and seizure of counterfeit L-Acoustics loudspeakers in China in December 2022. In partnership with Chinese authorities, L-Acoustics tracked down five counterfeiters who were subsequently found guilty and sentenced to jail for producing and selling counterfeit L‑Acoustics loudspeakers in China. The counterfeit loudspeakers were destroyed.
Verifying false serial numbers on fake L-Acoustics loudspeakers in the warehouse of Se7ven Sounds Music, Inc before confiscation of counterfeit product – photo courtesy Zack Wittman
The safety risks associated with counterfeit loudspeakers are not limited to suboptimal audio performance; fake products also expose operators and the public to hazardous safety risks and severe legal liabilities if an accident occurs. Counterfeit L-Acoustics loudspeakers do not provide the same ultimate performance, ruggedness, and safety of operation as their true counterparts. L-Acoustics offers free serial number verification to clients and will roll out an online version to certified providers by year’s end.
L-Acoustics anti-counterfeiting efforts for this case have been led by Dr. Laurent Ostojski, Senior Legal Counsel at L-Acoustics, and Milton Springut and J.T. Parker Murray of Moses & Singer LLP.
To learn more about the L-Acoustics Counterfeit Task Force, how to spot a fake, and report any suspected counterfeits, please head to the L-Acoustics Anti-Counterfeiting page.
To help L-Acoustics fight counterfeiting, readers can report fake products by sending an email to: stopcounterfeits@l-acoustics.com.
