Online trader Marksun Australia has been penalised $430,000 for engaging in false and misleading conduct including $100,000 for unauthorised use of the Australian Made logo, following action by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) in the Federal Court in Perth.
Marksun promoted the Chinese made ugg boots via a registered trade mark ‘Marksun Products Ugg Boots from Australia’, the statement ‘Made in Australia from Australia Wool’, silhouette images of wombats and kangaroos, images of the Australian flag and Sydney Opera House and the official green and gold Australian Made logo.
In his judgment, Justice Gilmour said the conduct was deliberate and dishonest.
“The overall character of the conduct in promoting goods that are entirely made in China was calculated to apply a veneer of ‘Australian-ness’ or ‘Australia washing’,” he said.