Five million (three million euros) will be asked to pay an Australian clothing company as it claimed that its clothes… stop the spread of coronavirus!
In particular, the sportswear company Lorna Jane, based in Brisbane, advertised that her clothes had one "Innovative technology" called LJ Shield, which supposedly prevents the "transmission of all pathogens".
However, one judge considered the company's claim to be "aggressive and potentially dangerous".
Lorna Jane Pty Ltd admitted that, between 2 and 23 July 2020, it falsely presented to consumers that LJ Shield Activewear "Stops the spread" and "protects" those who wear her clothes from "him COVID-19».
In fact, the company had posters in the store, banner ads on the website but also sent messages on Instagram and emails to consumers about the so-called anti-covid product.
The company "threw" them to the supplier
The company accepted the court's decision, claiming that it had been misled by its supplier. "A trusted supplier sold us a product that did not deliver on its promise," said Lorna Jane, CEO. Bill Clarkson.
"They made us believe that LJ Shield technology was sold elsewhere in Australia, the United States, China and Taiwan and that it was both antibacterial and anti-viral. "We believed we were offering a benefit to our customers," he said.
The lawsuit was brought by Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) after the launch of this clothing line in June 2020, amid a pandemic.
The ACCC president said: "This was unacceptable behavior as it contained serious allegations about public health, while there was no basis for them."
Lorna Jane, who has stores across Australia, New Zealand, the US and Singapore, has been ordered by a judge to publish corrective remarks.
$ 40.000 fine
Last week, the company was also fined 40.000 dollars Australia by the country's regulatory authority for drugs due to "illegal advertising" in relation to Covid.
"This type of advertising could have a detrimental effect on the Australian community, creating a false sense safety and leading people to be less careful about hygiene and social distance, "said the Directorate of Therapeutic Goods.
via
