Alibaba Chairperson Jack Ma has decided to forego an anti-counterfeiting conference in the United States after the Chinese e-commerce giant's membership was suspended by the same group which organized the event.  

Over the years since, Alibaba has been accused that its online shopping platforms have been utilized by counterfeiters for their illicit trade, and that the company has not done enough to address the problem.

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This perception has led three members of the Washington-based International Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC), which included board member Tiffany & Co, to resign from the group, while other members have threatened to do the same if Alibaba was taken in as a member.

In a letter to the IACC explaining its decision to leave the group, luxury brand Michael Kors described Alibaba as "the largest marketplace for counterfeit merchandise the world has ever seen" and criticized the organization for providing "cover to our most dangerous and damaging adversary."

The IACC then decided to suspend the newly-created category in which Alibaba was taken in, consequently terminating its membership from the body, and leading Ma to skip the anti-counterfeiting conference. 

According to an Alibaba source, Ma had lunch with US President Barack Obama at the White House on the same day that the company's membership in the IACC was cancelled.

"Given the IACC's desire for additional time to reflect upon the viability of its general membership category, Alibaba feels it best that Jack Ma postpone his appearance," said Jennifer Kuperman, head of international corporate communications.

In her statement, Kuperman assured its clients and competitors that Alibaba "firmly committed to the protection of intellectual property rights and combating counterfeits."

Taobao said it was tightening controls on the sale of luxury goods, while Chinese authorities will be launching a campaign to clean up e-commerce, specifically targeting trademark violations.

Alibaba Group President Michael Evans will instead represent Ma at the anti-counterfeiting conference to be held in Orlando, Florida. 

Tagschina, Anti-Counterfeiting Conference, Alibaba, Jack Ma, Alibaba Anti-Counterfeiting Conference, China Counterfeit Goods