MisterTrade

Zippo complains of Chinese knockoffs…0

Everyone knows the distintive shape of the Zippo lighter. In fact, four years ago, Zippo went so far as to trademark its design. Now it wants the International Trade Commission to help it fight knockoffs, which the company says “consume” 30 percent of its market. In its filing with the ITC, it points the finger at Chinese companies and U.S. distributors. Zippo, which was founded in 1932, in the early years of the U.S. Depression, sells more than 12 million lighters a year, and even claims a fan base that makes collectibles of them.