Bargain website facing fake ab machine claims

Importer Paul Meier claims 1-day.co.nz sold fake versions of the Ab Circle Pro machine. Photo / Janna Dixon

An exercise machine that claimed to carve centimetres off your stomach is embroiled in a legal battle over alleged counterfeiting.

The importer of Ab Circle Pro work-out machines, Brand Developers managing director Paul Meier, has taken action against a Hamilton-based web company for allegedly selling cheaper Chinese imitations of the device.

He claimed his brand was damaged and he lost revenue after www.1-day.co.nz sold counterfeits of his Ab Circle Pro machine.

The website offered Ab Circle Pro machines for $99.99 as part of its three daily deals on September 15.

The ad said: "Why pay $399.95. Today only $99.99."

Meier says he is the exclusive distributor and licensee of the intellectual property rights of the Ab Circle Pro.

He has filed documents in the High Court at Hamilton against the owners of the website, Keewee Group, owned by Guy and Luke Howard-Willis, of Hamilton.

Neither returned calls to the Herald on Sunday.

Meier claims the company breached the Fair Trading Act and deceived the public by selling counterfeit goods.

A hearing will be held next month.

Meier says he spent about $5 million advertising the equipment on television in New Zealand and Australia. He sells the machines for $399.95.

Two years ago Meier took action against the Trade Me website, claiming it failed to stop counterfeit Ab King Pro equipment being sold on the site. Meier says a "confidential settlement" was reached.