High end outdoor brand Canada Goose Inc has filed a lawsuit against several e-commerce store operators accusing them of selling counterfeit versions of its products. The complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois last week, claims that the defendants are infringing its Canada Goose trademarks by marketing and selling the unauthorised products.

The company has long been plagued by counterfeit products and its growth in popularity has seen a surge in copycat jackets. Previous lawsuits have revealed that counterfeit jackets were found to have been made using feather mulch and other fillers, which are often coated in bacteria, fungus, mildew and even faeces. Furthermore, the fakes don’t use real down or fur and don’t provide the warmth and protection in extreme cold, presenting a threat to consumers. Because Canada Goose jackets are aimed at mountain climbers and those involved in extreme weather expeditions, the threat of frostbite or freezing to death is very real.

The company goes to great lengths to protect its brand and provides detailed information on its website on how to avoid fake Canada Goose products.

The lawsuit claims that the defendants, believed to be operating from China, are operating through numerous retail platforms including Amazon and eBay. The company is seeking both injunctive relief and monetary damages as well as legal costs.