Counterfeit Marilyns: US firm files suit over Monroe merchandise

Authentic Brands Group LLC, which owns the rights to the late movie star’s name, has won a court order in the United States freezing the assets of dozens of virtual storefronts that sell counterfeit goods.

Nearly six decades after her death, Marilyn Monroe is still a popular choice for mugs, T-shirts, jewelry and other products using her name — even illegally. Authentic Brands Group LLC, which owns the rights to the late movie star’s name and the phrase “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” popularized by her most famous song, has won a court order freezing the assets of dozens of virtual storefronts selling counterfeit goods. The company said in court documents that it works with marketplaces such as Amazon.com, Alibaba, EBay, Joom and Wish to shut down the sites, but it’s not enough. Court filings lay out an elaborate and often covert operation to identify the counterfeiters, file lawsuits under seal and seek judicial orders before the storefronts knew they were being targeted.