Legal and privacy

Sixty-three percent of affluent consumers would choose to keep their online history and Internet activities private through an opt-out tracking policy, according to a new survey from the Luxury Institute.

If passed, the Do Not Track Act will let consumers stop companies from gathering their personal information online, but experts agree that there is most cause for concern among mainstream brands rather than those in the luxury sector.

In a sign of the growing scrutiny on mobile privacy issues, California attorney general Kamala Harris recently sent letters to dozens of application developers, giving them 30 days to conspicuously post a privacy policy or potentially face a fine of $2,500 per download.

The court decision surrounding the YSL versus Louboutin trademark case awarded each fashion house a victory, but experts are wondering if this is something that should have been started in the first place since the footwear designer runs the risk of losing its trademark all together.

Experts doubt that Gucci has much to lose no matter what the outcome of its trademark-infringement battle with mass apparel brand Guess, but the question of whether or not the Italian fashion label is being overzealous is still up for debate.

Companies such as Google, AOL, Return Path and Microsoft have founded DMARC – Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance – a networking group dedicated to reducing the threat of email spam, called “phishing.”

With its planned acquisition of Italian label Brioni, Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent owner PPR has made clear its interest in a market segment where it sees much potential: luxury menswear.

London-based publication Luxury Briefing announced the launch of a quarterly magazine supplement called Luxury Connections during its Wealth Summit last week in London.

Swiss watchmaker Hublot is actively fighting the battle against counterfeits by using Wisekey technology to protect products.

NEW YORK – Increased usage of technology should lead brands to shape the way that they handle, share and protect consumer data, especially with the emergence of consumers who want to know how their data is handled in digital channels, according to a study from McCann Worldwide.