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Alibaba fosters local brands to fight fakes

But critics say scheme is misguided and focus should be on scrubbing its online marketplaces of widespread listings of fakes

Published Mon, May 25, 2015 · 09:50 PM

Alibaba

Putian, China

CRITICISED and even sued by luxury brand Gucci and others for facilitating the counterfeit goods trade, Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd has been quietly piloting a scheme to try to curb fakes at source.

In the coastal city of Putian, in Fujian province, Alibaba is working with 17 shoe manufacturers to cultivate homegrown brands online, revitalise a flagging industry and offer would-be counterfeiters an alternative source of livelihood.

Critics say the scheme is misguided and Alibaba should instead focus on scrubbing its online marketplaces of…