Alibaba steps up fight on counterfeits

Taobao tells vendors that they must offer proof of authenticity for luxury goods

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd's online marketplace Taobao is stepping up its effort to crack down on counterfeit luxury products by requiring sellers to submit proof of authenticity as the Chinese e-commerce giant improves its image on its journey of globalization.

Taobao, China's largest customer-to-customer platform, has informed its online vendors that they must upload proof of the authenticity of luxury goods, such as invoices or authorization letters from the luxury brands from May 20 for examination. Those who fail to pass the examination cannot list the products online or may even get their funds frozen by the platform.