Alibaba founder will not be present at IACC conference

Chinese online giant Alibaba‘s founder, Jack Ma, will no longer be present at the International Anticounterfeiting Coalition’s conference (IACC). He was supposed to give the keynote speech, but decided to call it off.

Protest from other companies

Several luxury companies did not exactly welcome Jack Ma’s arrival, because Alibaba does not have a great track record when it comes to selling counterfeit items. Particularly its Taobao marketplace has plenty of counterfeit products for sale. 

Michael Kors, Gucci and Tiffany were so upset about Jack Ma’s attendance, they decided to revoke their IACC membership, while other brands also opposed his arrival. To appease its members, IACC decided to cancel Alibaba’s membership itself.

That move meant Alibaba’s IACC membership was rather short-lived. It had only been invited a month ago and the company also regrets it has now been kicked out of the organization, labeling it a step in the wrong direction. Its intention was to collaborate with other brands, thanks to the IACC, to find a solution to the counterfeit issue plaguing its online platforms.

Alibaba also adds that IACC’s decision will not have any influence on its aggressive stance against counterfeit products.