The owner of the Grand View Farm flea market in Derry, N.H., says that he did not know that knock-off goods were being sold at his market. Martin Taylor made the comment through his lawyer in response to a suit claiming at least $75,000 in damages from the market. The suit was brought by handbag-maker Coach after several vendors at the market were found guilty of selling illegal counterfeit goods.
Jarret Bencks of the North Andover Eagle Tribune has been covering the story comprehensively. Here are some links to that coverage: In December, 10 vendors were arrested in a sting operation. In mid-April, these vendors were set free with no jail time or fines, although their goods were confiscated to be destroyed. At the end of April, handbag-maker Coach sued the flea market. Finally, news came down today that the flea market is denying knowledge of the sales altogether.
And this of course brings to mind the Coles Flea Market vs Sony case, out of Texas. In April this year, a judge tossed out a suit brought by music giant Sony. The corporate behemoth argued that the flea market was responsible for the actions of vendors who were selling bootleg CDs. The judge in that case held that it was absurd to hold a flea market owner responsible for what his vendors were selling.
Photo credits, with thanks: Gavel from Wikimedia Commons; postcard from Dale Velk.
