Alibaba Chairman Jack Ma Refuses to Speak at the IACC Conference

Chairman Jack Ma refuses to speak after brands left out IACC to protest against Alibaba's membership in it

Amidst a growing controversy regarding whether Alibaba Group Holding Limited is acting sufficiently to battle with counterfeits on its online marketplaces, the Chinese E-commerce company has cancelled its co-founder and Chairman Jack Ma’s participation this week at the yearly conference of an important anti-counterfeiting group. The company’s spokesperson stated Michael Evans, who serves as the president of the Hangzhou based organization, will speak at the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition(IACC) in the US city of Orlando, on 19^th May instead of Jack

The IACC had admitted the online retailer as its members in April this year, but stated recent week it was removing the newly-developed category under which the web retailer was admitted “in consideration of some of the concerns raised by our membership.” In the recent week, Mr Jack was yet scheduled to address. Micheal Kors, which left from the coalition in April to protest against the membership of Alibaba, stated permitting the organization to become a member of the IACC, provided “cover to our most dangerous and damaging adversary.” 

Gucci America has also quitted the group and the French luxurious band Longchamp stated it would not participate in the yearly meeting. IACC, which is amongst the biggest groups working to fight pirated as well as fake goods, was not immediately available for sharing views. Having President Mr Michael speak“just adds insult to injury,”  stated lawyer Kristina Montanaro Schrader representing over 12 brands.

Michael Kors had censured the coalition’s email in April 2016 to members “enthusiastically”  Jack as the key note speaker. Some members of IACC stated they might yet boycott any Alibaba speech. “I am not interested in hearing Mr. Ma speak nor anyone from Alibaba speak” regarding the move it’s taking to battle akes stated IPCybercrime CEO Rob Holmes, which lets brands monitor fake goods online. 

On 17^th May 2016, Alibaba stated it has a “zero tolerance” policy for fake items and holds the belief that the most effective means to resolve the matter is by jointly working with brands. The category suspension by the coalition under which the online trading platform operator was given membership is a  move “in the wrong direction and regrettable,” the company stated.

Instead of preparing for the important address, Mr Jack toured the White House and had a meeting with President of the United States Barak Obama in an off-the-record, unpublicized meeting. The web retailer confirmed that the meeting took place, but refused to further comment. In November 2015, Obama and Jack had a meeting during which President Barak interviewed Jack on the stage at the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

Last week,a nameless letter  that stated  it was from international brands asked the board of IACC to hold a  town-hall meeting  to deliberate upon the concerns of the brand or risk an “empty room” if Mr Jack took the decision to address the conference. The sender wasn’t verified by the Wall Street Journal.