Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CHENGDU40
2009-03-05 02:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Chengdu
Cable title:  

SOUTHWEST CHINA ENTREPRENEURS BUILD COUNTERFEIT STORE

Tags:  ECON EIND ETRD KIPR PGOV CH 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO9965
RR RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHCN #0040/01 0640207
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 050207Z MAR 09
FM AMCONSUL CHENGDU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3095
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0049
RHMFIUU/DHS IP BP WASH DC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC
RUEHCN/AMCONSUL CHENGDU 3767
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CHENGDU 000040 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

EAP/CM - PPARK AND EB/IPE - DBUBMAN
EB/TPP - EMAGDANZ AND INL - JVIGIL
EB/CIP - WWITTEMAN AND RDALEY
USTR FOR CHINA OFFICE - AWINTER; IPR OFFICE - RBAE;
AND OCG - SMCCOY, JRAGLAND, AND KALVAREZ
COMMERCE FOR NATIONAL COORDINATOR FOR IPR ENFORCEMENT
COMMERCE FOR MAC ESZYMANSKI
COMMERCE FOR MAC SWILSON, JYOUNG
LOC/COPYRIGHT OFFICE - STEPP
USPTO FOR INT'L AFFAIRS - LBOLAND, EWU, STONG
DOJ FOR CCIPS - MDUBOSE AND SCHEMBTOB
FTC FOR BLUMENTHAL
FBI FOR LBRYANT
DHS/ICE FOR IPR CENTER - DFAULCONER, TRANDAZZO
DHS/CBP FOR IPR RIGHTS BRANCH - GMACRAY, PPIZZECK
ITC FOR LLEVINE, LSCHLITT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EIND ETRD KIPR PGOV CH
SUBJECT: SOUTHWEST CHINA ENTREPRENEURS BUILD COUNTERFEIT STORE

CHENGDU 00000040 001.2 OF 002


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CHENGDU 000040

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

EAP/CM - PPARK AND EB/IPE - DBUBMAN
EB/TPP - EMAGDANZ AND INL - JVIGIL
EB/CIP - WWITTEMAN AND RDALEY
USTR FOR CHINA OFFICE - AWINTER; IPR OFFICE - RBAE;
AND OCG - SMCCOY, JRAGLAND, AND KALVAREZ
COMMERCE FOR NATIONAL COORDINATOR FOR IPR ENFORCEMENT
COMMERCE FOR MAC ESZYMANSKI
COMMERCE FOR MAC SWILSON, JYOUNG
LOC/COPYRIGHT OFFICE - STEPP
USPTO FOR INT'L AFFAIRS - LBOLAND, EWU, STONG
DOJ FOR CCIPS - MDUBOSE AND SCHEMBTOB
FTC FOR BLUMENTHAL
FBI FOR LBRYANT
DHS/ICE FOR IPR CENTER - DFAULCONER, TRANDAZZO
DHS/CBP FOR IPR RIGHTS BRANCH - GMACRAY, PPIZZECK
ITC FOR LLEVINE, LSCHLITT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EIND ETRD KIPR PGOV CH
SUBJECT: SOUTHWEST CHINA ENTREPRENEURS BUILD COUNTERFEIT STORE

CHENGDU 00000040 001.2 OF 002



1. (U) This cable contains sensitive but unclassified
information - not for distribution on the internet.




2. (SBU) Summary: Entrepreneurs in Sichuan's provincial capital
Chengdu have, in at least one case, moved from selling copyright
infringing products to copying a company's entire product line
and brand identity. Congenoff confirmed with a company
representative that a group of Chengdu stores purporting to be
part of the Hong Kong snack food chain "Aji Ichiban" have no
legitimate connection to the brand. The possible breadth and
depth of counterfeiting may make it difficult for some
consumers, shopkeepers, and possibly even store employees to
determine the authenticity of a retailer. End Summary.



Walking and Quacking, but Still Not a Duck

--------------




3. (SBU) Some businessmen in Chengdu have apparently decided to
mimic the look and feel of a legitimate brand's retail outlet
and product line rather than start their own business. At first
glance, even those familiar with the Hong Kong confectionary
chain Aji Ichiban would likely judge that the Chengdu stores are
authentic Aji Ichiban retailers. The signs on the outside of
the store appear to be identical to some of those seen in Hong
Kong. Inside, the stores have a similar layout, offer a similar
variety of products, and even have similar-looking bags for bulk
purchases. The promotional posters in one of the retail outlets
had an authentic look as well. One of the Chengdu Aji Ichiban

retail stores is located along a very popular, upscale tourist
street and surrounded by presumably legitimate retailers.




4. (SBU) Congenoff checked Aji Ichiban's official website,
however, and found no listing for stores in Chengdu or Sichuan
province. In mid-February, Congenoff called the contact number
listed on Aji Ichiban's official website (www.ajiichiban.com.hk)
and was told that the company has no stores in Chengdu. When in
stores in Chengdu, it is only the small details that suggest
that they may not be official franchise or company stores. One
retail location stocked an assortment of Mickey Mouse snack
containers that appeared to be counterfeit Walt Disney products.
Some of the stencil cut signs on the inside of stores look
slightly out of place, and of lower quality than exterior signs.




Fooling Employees and Customers?

--------------




5. (SBU) Employees at two Aji Ichiban stores in Chengdu told
Congenoff that their respective stores were part of the Hong
Kong chain of stores ("lian suo gong si"). Congenoff is
uncertain from his conversations if the employees actually
believe the Chengdu stores are part of the Hong Kong group, or
if they are simply telling customers that they are part of the
company. A website for the Chengdu-based company that
presumably owns the Chengdu Aji Ichiban stores (www.yzlp.com)
implies that the Chengdu and Hong Kong retailers are part of the

CHENGDU 00000040 002.2 OF 002


same company.




6. (SBU) Some customers suspect that the stores may be fake,
however. A message posted on the popular website Baidu.com
asked last year if there was a relationship between the
Chengdu-based Aji Ichiban and the Hong Kong company. Four
respondents within a few days all said that there is no known
relationship between the stores. The answer flagged as most
authoritative also asserted there was no relationship, but that
many businessmen "played games" with branding. A user posting
on another website, Douban.com, also says that the Chengdu
stores are not related to the Hong Kong stores. The post states
that products in the Chengdu stores are merely copies of those
in the real stores.



Fake Stores Potentially a More Pervasive Problem

-------------- ---




7. (SBU) Chengdu store fronts sporting professional-looking
signs with logos of famous brands like Nike, Reebok, Kappa, and
Adidas do not necessarily signify that the store is a legitimate
retailer. Sign-makers in Chengdu manufacture or sell signs for
famous brands. Window, exterior, and display case signs are all
available. Some less intricate logo signs appear to be stencil
cut, and may even be finished at the retail location. Standing
near an "Apple authorized retailer" sign at the computer market,
Congenoff noticed small plastic shavings around portions of the
sign that suggest it may have been cut onsite. From a short
distance, however, the sign appeared no different from those
seen in the U.S.




8. (SBU) Some Chengdu stores that use authentic-looking signs
and logos may also be selling counterfeit products, but
Congenoff could not determine the authenticity of the products.
Near the Chengdu Sport Center, Congenoff saw a store that
appeared to be an authentic Nike retailer. Signs, posters,
displays, and products all appeared similar to Nike retailers in
the U.S. The store immediately next door also claimed to sell
Nike products. It had the Nike Swoosh logo on the front of the
store, but it lacked the Nike promotional material. The design
of the shoes suggested they were not legitimate, but Congenoff
could not determine the product's authenticity.




9. (SBU) COMMENT: Post will continue to try to monitor the
piracy situation on the streets of Chengdu and raise our
concerns with local authorities. End Comment.
BOUGHNER