Enrico Coveri trademark: ruling explained

A LEGAL battle over the import of expensive Italian footwear and related products ensued in the Supreme Court of Appeal, with one importer of the exclusive Enrico Coveri claiming the other importer is selling counterfeit shoes under this name.

- Zelda Venter

Yossi Barel and Popular Trading CC both import and trade this footwear and other products in South Africa. Barel's footwear is manufactured in China and Turkey under a registered trademark. Popular Trading sources its footwear from Italy.

The Enrico Coveri brand is named after iconic Italian fashion designer of the 1990s, Mr Enrico Coveri (EC), whose products were sold in the European Union, Japan, South Korea, the USA, and Hong Kong.

Mr Coveri built a strong EC brand that was synonymous with “Made in Italy” and extended into collections covering women, men, and children.

In 1990, Mr Coveri died and his sister, Silvanna Anna Maria Coveri (Ms Coveri) succeeded him and is currently the general manager of Enrico Coveri S.R.L, a company founded by Mr Coveri in Italy.