Plagiarism, counterfeiting & fraud: Watch out for fakes! Vaude warns of fake online shops

The outdoor brand Vaude from Tettnang is warning consumers about a particularly persistent counterfeit online shop. A web shop is currently being operated under the domain www.vaude-de.com that is very similar to the official Vaude online shop and is being heavily advertised via social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.

Numerous customers have already been deceived by this aggressive marketing strategy. The company reacted immediately and initiated official cancellation proceedings via the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation). However, this process can take up to 60 days - i.e. until the end of October 2025.

The problem with counterfeit webshops is that they offer supposedly low-priced branded goods that have to be paid for in advance, but the products are never delivered. Payments that have already been made can usually no longer be cancelled, resulting in financial losses for those affected.

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Systematic fight against online fraud

Vaude has been working successfully for years with Convey, a leading global service provider in the field of brand protection. The company specialises in monitoring domains and websites, continuously identifies counterfeit shops on the Internet and arranges for their deletion on behalf of Vaude.

In this way, the outdoor outfitter has already been able to end around 700 cases of misuse this year - usually in direct cooperation with the respective provider. "We are doing everything we can to protect our customers and are taking decisive action against fraudulent online offers," explains Manfred Meindl, Head of Marketing at Vaude. "Brand misuse and online fraud not only damage our brand, but also the credibility of online retail in general."

Particularly persistent case with several fake domains

The current case of www.vaude-de.com is proving particularly difficult: the provider of this and other fake sites (including vaudeshop.com, vaudeushopon.com, vaudeuonline-de.com, vaudedes.com) has so far refused to voluntarily remove the sites. Vaude has therefore initiated official arbitration proceedings in accordance with the international UDRP (Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy) procedure of the WIPO.

According to the company, the chances of success are almost 100 per cent, but the process may take until the end of October 2025. During this time, there is still a risk that consumers will fall for the fraudulent offers. It is therefore important for the company to inform the public about this threat and provide information on how to recognise fake shops.

Recognising features for fraudulent webshops

In order to recognise fraudulent websites, Vaude provides various tips that consumers should pay attention to. Suspicious URL addresses such as www.vaude-de.com instead of the official domain www.vaude.com are a first warning sign.

Prices that are significantly lower than the market value should also make you sceptical. A missing legal notice or incomplete contact details are also typical characteristics of fake shops. Particular caution is advised if only prepayment is possible and no secure payment methods such as PayPal or credit card are offered.

In addition, many counterfeit shops have numerous spelling and content errors that become apparent on closer inspection. The company's general recommendation is to purchase Vaude products exclusively from authorised specialist retailers, Vaude stores or the official online shop www.vaude.com.