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Detecting Trademark Misuse of a Leading Skincare Brand

How a Skincare Giant Leveraged CounterFix to Detect and Disrupt Brand Infringement

Client File

Client
Leading Indian Pharmaceutical & Skincare Company
Timeline
Under 2 Weeks
Year
2023
Team
CounterFix

Challenge

Managing a large brand portfolio made it difficult to manually track online misuse. The use of the client’s trademarked name by a different manufacturer on similar packaging prompted urgent investigation.

Objective

Confirm the trademark violation, gather solid evidence, and equip the client for legal or enforcement action.

Outcomes

  • Product names were phonetically similar to the trademarked brand.
  • Packaging and manufacturer differed but mimicked brand identity.
  • Target audience and product categories overlapped heavily.
  • Client needed documentation to pursue legal or enforcement action confidently.

The Solution Strategy

1

Discover

2

Define

3

Design

4

Develop

5

Deploy

The Investigation

Detecting the Infringement

CounterFix’s automated scans flagged listings across major marketplaces.

Key findings:

  • Product names phonetically similar to the trademark
  • Packaging and manufacturer details differed, but brand identity was mimicked
Evidence #1: Detecting the InfringementDetecting Trademark Misuse of a Leading Skincare Brand - Featured image

Auditing the Competitor’s Website

We reviewed the infringer’s online presence to assess product alignment.

Key findings:

  • Multiple overlapping products (creams, drops) used the infringing name
  • Branding clearly targeted the same category and audience
Evidence #2: Auditing the Competitor’s WebsiteDetecting Trademark Misuse of a Leading Skincare Brand - Featured image

Test Purchase & Review

We purchased the product to inspect its physical packaging.

Key findings:

  • Product name matched the client’s trademark phonetically
  • Trademark appeared on skincare items not covered under the infringer’s rights
Evidence #3: Test Purchase & ReviewDetecting Trademark Misuse of a Leading Skincare Brand - Featured image

Building the Evidence Report

A structured enforcement-ready document was prepared.

Key findings:

  • Included screenshots, test purchase documentation, and product comparisons
  • Client equipped to escalate legally or via offline action
Evidence #4: Building the Evidence ReportDetecting Trademark Misuse of a Leading Skincare Brand - Featured image

Case Closed: The Results

90%
Early Detection
Test
Purchase Verified
Legal Docs
Ready

Key Achievements

  • Trademark misuse was traced back to a larger pattern of brand imitation across multiple platforms
  • Evidence from test purchases and online audits built a compelling case for legal escalation
  • The client gained confidence to act swiftly, without internal delays or uncertainty
  • Marketplaces were alerted to repeat offenders, strengthening future enforcement potential
  • The client’s internal brand protection team now uses this case as a blueprint for ongoing IP monitoring

"With PiratesAlert, we were able to catch the infringement early and respond decisively. Their thorough approach made all the difference."

Legal & Compliance Officer

Leading Indian Skincare Company

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