January 6, 2005
BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA, January 6, 2005 – New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. announced today that as part of its global brand protection program, the company recently received a favorable arbitration decision against Yuntex Enterprises (HK and PRC) and Horace Chang resulting from the manufacture, distribution and sale of counterfeit New Balance product.
The company alleged that Yuntex and its affiliated China-based factory Union Sports International (USI) produced and distributed both counterfeit New Balance shoes and an infringing brand called 'Henkee.' The products were sold mainly in China but were also exported to Europe, Japan, Taiwan and Australia.
New Balance was awarded more than $9 million as a Final Award through the International Centre for Dispute Resolution with enforcement worldwide.
"This arbitration is part of an extensive, ongoing worldwide campaign by New Balance to eliminate the flow of counterfeit shoes," says Ed Haddad, Area Vice President-International at New Balance. "New Balance has and will continue to act swiftly and take all measures necessary to protect the integrity of our brand."
New Balance and a worldwide network of investigators, led by Harley Lewin, Esq. of Greenburg and Traurig in New York, continue to execute the company's brand/trademark protection program. This has resulted in the confiscation of counterfeit product through more than two dozen raids in 2004 as well as the coordination of local prosecutions.
New Balance, headquartered in Boston, MA, is a leading manufacturer of technologically innovative width-sized performance footwear and athletic apparel for women, men, and children. The range of product categories includes running, walking, cross training, basketball, tennis, adventure, and kids. Dunham, an outdoor performance brand inspired by the world outside, joined the New Balance family in Fall 1998. After acquiring the rights to PF Flyers in February 2000, New Balance re-launched the brand in Spring 2003 as authentic active casual footwear. Aravon® comfort performance brand footwear debuted in January 2004 as an unsurpassed blend of fit, comfort, support and style. In early 2004, New Balance acquired Warrior Lacrosse, widely recognized as the world's most cutting edge manufacturer of lacrosse equipment. New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. employs more than 2,600 people around the globe, and in 2003 reported worldwide sales of $1.3 billion. For more information please visit http://www.newbalance.com.
