THE Silk Street Market in Beijing, which has long offered copies of international designer and branded goods, has unveiled its own brand - with a warning that anyone who tries to copy it will be held liable. The first items to bear the Silkstreet name, include ties, shirts and scarves, as well as household items such as tablecloths. They are marked “quality guaranteed” with a label that tells buyers that “the goods are certified by the Silk Street Market. If any quality problems are found, the market will bear the responsibility of compensation.” Wang Zili, general manager of the market, told the Beijing Evening News: “Silkstreet products are sold exclusively in the market. Anyone using the brand outside will be held liable.” Nearly 100 stalls connected with 39 market shops will be entitled to sell the goods initially. T-shirts, jeans, knitted goods, jewelry, luggage and other items will be added to the product line, Wang said. Those now authorized to sell Silkstreet products had to have a good business record, said Wang, with “no record of selling fake or shoddy products within six months and no [customer] complaints.” Most of the Silkstreet items come from the factories of famous Chinese manufacturers. For instance, shirts come from the century-old silk company Ruifuxiang, according to the newspaper. The Silk Street (Xiushui) market in eastern Beijing’s Chaoyang District has long been popular with overseas tourists, who have been flocking there to buy counterfeit luxury clothes and accessories since 1985.

Source: Hands off our brand, says silk market

via Shanghai Daily: National by on 1/25/08