Thousands of pairs of eyewear seized in Italy.

As I was searching the net to confirm the rumors about Luxottica buying Alain Mikli, I found this little gem.

"In recent days the Financial Police have seized thousands of models of eyewear. The number is estimated at around 30,000 and 40,000, amounting to a value of a few million euros.

The object of the dispute is the “Made in Italy” brand. Or rather, it would appear that the Financial Police dispute that the eyewear seized was actually made in Italy. The inquiry, carried out in the strictest confidence, was concluded a few days ago.

At the time of seizing of the goods, the financial police handed the company’s legal representatives a summons, charging the company with selling industrial products with misleading marks and commercial fraud.

The inquiry is just at the start, and the company has not yet responded to the charges.

We must remember that regulations on the whole Community Customs Code allow the wording “Made in Italy” to be used in the case of eyewear, which has not completely been made in Italy, if it has undergone the last, financially relevant, substantial transformation here.


(Source: Il Corriere delle Alpi)