Counterfeit products in Trabzon wicker jewelry to be prevented

Trabzon wicker is made by weaving gold or silver wires with a thickness of 31 to 32 microns without the use of machines. Wicker sets, which have become indispensable for weddings in the region, consist of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings. Trabzon wicker is offered for sale at prices that vary according to the gold karat, weight, and shape. Various designs are being created to carry the wicker tradition to future generations.

Ali Yazıcı, President of the Trabzon Jewelers and Watchmakers Chamber, said that Trabzon wicker is the most sought-after jewelry for weddings in the region. Stating that they could not reach their desired sales figures during the summer season due to the high prices of Trabzon wicker, Yazıcı emphasized that the most important feature of the geographically indicated Trabzon wicker is that it is produced only in the city and sold to Turkey and the world.

Pointing out that the wicker cannot be sold in the desired quantity and value due to competition, Yazıcı said, "This product, which is a handicraft, is woven only by women in Trabzon and its value in the market is immeasurable. Our firms are creating very different models and designs to carry the wicker bracelet to future generations."

WE HAVE EXPECTATIONS REGARDING SANCTIONS

Underlining that Trabzon wicker is a patented product, Yazıcı stated that as part of their work, they have identified firms selling second-hand products without holograms. Drawing attention to the fact that they have initiated legal proceedings against these firms, Yazıcı made the following assessment:

"The reason we use holograms on the products made is to prevent the sale of second-hand wicker. Because consumers are not knowledgeable about this issue, they have a chance to understand that it is not second-hand by choosing products with holograms and barcodes. However, they are selling second-hand wicker bracelets in different provinces of Turkey. Naturally, this deals a blow to Trabzon wicker."

Yazıcı stated that they have submitted the results of the lawsuits to the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office in the form of a report, and continued: "Although we have won some of the cases, we have expectations regarding sanctions. We are also expecting a response as a result of our efforts. According to the court results, even if we are right, we do not have the power of sanction. We have made many investigations we conducted in Istanbul, Central Anatolia, and the Western Black Sea region the subject of lawsuits and carried them to court."

Emphasizing that intervening in the second-hand market for Trabzon wicker is important for the sector, Yazıcı said, "If we cannot stop the sale of second-hand wicker, I can say that the Trabzon wicker bracelet is rapidly heading towards extinction. Because while many of our firms are struggling and creating different designs, we will not be able to overcome this issue as long as the law does not function regarding the fight against second-hand sales."

News Source: 12punto