Cartier sues online flash sale site HauteLook

Flash sale sites and ‘pop up’ sales sites have been gaining in popularity in the last few years, with more appearing online every month (in the last few weeks alone I’ve been emailed news about three new ones). But one of the originals is in a bit of legal trouble. HauteLook is being taken to court by fine jewelers Cartier who claim that their goods were sold without permission – some second hand. Known for selling goods at a great discount HauteLook is “causing immediate and irreparable harm to the Cartier brand and trademark,” Cartier said in its 36-page complaint filed on Tuesday evening in Manhattan federal court. [Reuters]