Jack Ma's Alibaba has been accused of selling fake goods. (Photo : Getty Images)
The company's items can be seen in Tmall, Alibaba's online store.
"As a leader in the sneaker marketplace, we're excited to be partnering with China's most premiere destination for selling and buying," said Stadium Goods co-founder and CEO John McPheters.
He added, "We believe together, Tmall Global and Stadium Goods will offer sneaker enthusiasts throughout China the most premium level of customer experience and authenticity for the Chinese consumer."
The CEO is referring to counterfeit goods that are flooding the Chinese market and is spilling overseas. Stadium Goods is distributing brands such as Nike, Adidas, Reebok, and Vans.
Alibaba received a complaint from the American Apparel and Footwear Association and a warning from the U.S. Trade Representative last year for "slow, difficult-to-use and nontransparent" anti-counterfeit enforcement program."
In efforts to fight counterfeit product distribution, Alibaba appointed former Pfizer Inc. and Apple Inc. executive Mathew Bassiur as VP and head of global intellectual property enforcement. The appointment took effect in January.
Jack Ma, executive chairman of Alibaba, said in a statement, "Matthew's appointment is the latest step in Alibaba Group's comprehensive and industry-leading efforts to fight counterfeits."
"Counterfeiting is a problem that challenges all forms of distribution, whether in e-commerce or offline retail," stated Ma.
He also believes that Alibaba has a "long-term commitment to protecting both consumers and intellectual-property-rights owners."
Prior to the issuance of the complaint, Alibaba has instructed their online sellers to use a QR code to prove the authenticity of their products.
Stadium Goods believes that their company and Alibaba will be able to get rid of counterfeit products by consumer education and selling of quality and authentic footwear.
