Tiffany Obtains Injunction and Large Award Against Counterfeiters

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF) announced today that the Federal Court in New York has entered a Final Judgment by Consent for Tiffany and Company and against Starglam Inc. and its principal, John Shamir, enjoining them from any further counterfeiting or infringement of the TIFFANY name and trademark. The Judgment, entered by Judge George B. Daniels, required defendants to pay Tiffany $956,793.15, which has already been paid in full. Shamir had previously pled guilty to charges of trademark counterfeiting and has served his sentence.

Michael Kowalski, chairman and chief executive officer of Tiffany, said, “We are pleased to announce this Judgment. Trademark counterfeiting severely damages brand owners and consumers alike. The way to stop it is to take aggressive action against the counterfeiters and make them pay, criminally as well as civilly. That’s what happened in this case which should send a message to anyone trying to sell counterfeit Tiffany merchandise.”

Starglam had been distributing counterfeit silver Tiffany merchandise, some of which was purchased in Asia and some on Canal Street in New York. The government brought proceedings against the Canal Street seller who was prosecuted and convicted.

Starglam sold the counterfeits on the internet, including on eBay. Tiffany has a civil action awaiting trial in Federal Court in New York against eBay because of the large amount of counterfeit Tiffany silver merchandise that has been sold on eBay auction sites.

Arnold & Porter LLP represents Tiffany in the Starglam and eBay cases.

Tiffany & Co. operates jewelry and specialty retail stores and manufactures products through its subsidiary corporations. Its principal subsidiary is Tiffany and Company. The Company operates TIFFANY & CO. retail stores and boutiques in the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe and engages in direct selling through Internet, catalog and business gift operations. Other operations include consolidated results from ventures operated under trademarks or tradenames other than TIFFANY & CO. For additional information, please visit www.tiffany.com or call our shareholder information line at 800-TIF-0110.