Rolex sues Henderson residents over sale of replicas

Friday, Oct. 30, 2009 | 1:26 p.m.

See the Rolex lawsuit

Rolex Watch U.S.A. Inc. has filed a lawsuit asserting counterfeiting and trademark claims against two Henderson residents it says are operating a Web site selling replica Rolex watches.

Sued in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas on Thursday were Angelika Ryska, Robert Mayer and the Web site moreaffordable4u.com.

Rolex says in its suit the defendants have been promoting the Web site on craigslist.com and myspace.com and that one of its investigators on Sept. 3 made an undercover purchase of a "gold Swiss-made, Rolex Replica DayDate-Swiss (AAA+++)" watch for $499.

Upon receipt of the watch, Rolex found it bore counterfeits of its trademarks Rolex, the Crown Device, Oyster Perpetual and Day-Date, the suit said, adding Rolex technicians determined none of the watch parts are of Rolex origin.

"Through the Web site, defendants intentionally, maliciously and willfully sold, offered for sale, distributed, promoted and advertised watches bearing counterfeits of one or more of the Rolex registered trademarks, despite knowledge that such sales were illegal," the suit alleges.

A look at the Web site Friday showed it offers for sale goods including handbags, jewelry, clothing, shoes and watches.

The myspace page promoting the site calls it "the home of quality replica watches" and other goods.

Messages for comment on the allegations were left through the Web site Friday.

Discussion: 5 comments so far…

By wizardofOz

10/30/09 at 1:47 p.m.

Suggest removal

Good.

Rolex has worked long and hard to establish its international brand, just like many other reputable businesses.

I don't own one, but if someday I might want to (or I might want to own any other quality name brand watch), I wouldn't want to be taken for $500 BUCK$ for an phony online fake watch that falls apart in a week.

WHERE'S U.S. CUSTOMS ON THIS...? LOOKING THE OTHER WAY IN THE INTEREST OF "FREE TRADE"..?
By frank1s

10/30/09 at 2:46 p.m.

Suggest removal

Selling fake goods on the internet? No way. I guess these people were too lazy to go to the swap meet like all the other people who sell bogus products.
By STV

10/30/09 at 3 p.m.

Suggest removal

Here's a hint: If you are offered a Rolex for sale for $500 or less, it's a replica.

Besides, anybody under 50 that would wear a Rolex, (real or replica) is a d-bag. Anybody over the age of 50 who would wear a replica Rolex is a d-bag too.

If got money, go buy a Breitling or other 'cool' watch. Wait for your Grandpa to pass you on his Rolex, those are the only 'cool' ones.
By LasVegas2009

10/30/09 at 4:58 p.m.

Suggest removal

$40 each across the border in TJ.
By vegasm

11/3/09 at 9:46 a.m.

Suggest removal

If an item advertised is done so clearly saying 'replica' in the description, one should not have a reasonable expectation of receiving the genuine article.

The problem arises when an item is resold to an unsuspecting 3rd party as an original, and the third party may be inexperienced in detecting real from fake.

I have a real Rolex, and it feels like a real Rolex - it's solid, heavy and expensive as heck to have 'tuned up'...just like my Ferrari (another company sue happy over 'replica' kits - see Ferrari vs. Mcburnie, the maker of the kit used to convert a Corvette into the black Ferrari Daytona used in Miami Vice).

You can no more confuse a cheap 'Rolex' with a real one than a Fiero kitcar with the genuine article!