Citing recognition of Gemological Institute of America (GIA) for gemmological report services and education, a Belgian court unequivocally ordered AIG Belgium, operating as American International Gemological Laboratories and Antwerp International Gemological Laboratories, to immediately cease using \u2018AIG\u2019 alone or in conjunction with other marks, or face significant penalty payments. This definitive ruling applies to the use of the now-illegitimate marks used by \u2018AIG\u2019 relating to both education and gem grading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe global gem and jewellery trade and consumers around the world rely on the independence of GIA\u2019s science-based gemmological reports and the industry-leading quality of GIA education,\u201d said Jennifer Wilson, GIA General Counsel and Senior Vice President. \u201cWhen others attempt to take advantage of GIA\u2019s reputation and global recognition to create confusion in the trade and among consumers for financial gain, we will always respond with vigor and resolve.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In handing down its decision, the court cited AIG\u2019s \u2018attempt to sail on the success of GIA\u2019s marks\u2019 and imposed penalty payments for prohibited use up to \u20ac500,000. GIA turned to the courts for relief in this case after several demands that AIG cease and desist in infringing on GIA\u2019s protected marks and logos. Representatives of AIG in Belgium have been served with the decision; their period of appeal expired on 25th March. GIA is vigorously pursuing an adjacent case pertaining to AIG-related entities in Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GIA\u2019s trademarks, including \u2018GIA,\u2019 \u2018Gemological Institute of America,\u2019 the GIA seal and other logos are recognised and protected throughout the world. As part of its consumer-protection mission to ensure the public trust in gems and jewellery, GIA vigorously pursues any person or organisation who attempts to misappropriate GIA\u2019s intellectual property and reputation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Citing recognition of Gemological Institute of America (GIA) for gemmological report services and education, a Belgian court unequivocally ordered AIG Belgium, operating as American International Gemological Laboratories and Antwerp International Gemological Laboratories, to immediately cease using \u2018AIG\u2019 alone or in conjunction with other marks, or face significant penalty payments. This definitive ruling applies to the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8071,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[83],"tags":[],"thb-sponsors":[],"class_list":["post-8070","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bulletin"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n