A local knock-off merchant told a court here that Celine Dion wasn't shopping for fake designer bags when she visited his store last spring, she just wanted her fortune told.
Shop owner Lin Yi Zhong is being sued by the international luxury merchandiser Louis Vuitton, which is claiming $177,000 in damages for violation of its trademark. It's a huge sum by Chinese standards, but LV is arguing that if Lin is serving a clientele that includes superstars like Dion, he must be commanding good prices.
Lin came to LV's attention when Chinese media caught Dion "shopping" there last April, during her concert tour of China.
The international chanteuse wasn't carrying any bags when she left the store, but intrepid reporters staked out her hotel and snapped photos as nine bags of merchandise were delivered from Lin's store.
The court heard that the subsequent news stories alleged Dion bought 50 knock-off items, including several LV products.
Lin's lawyer argued the reporters did not witness Dion actually buying anything and they "misunderstood the whole thing."
Police raided Lin's store last August and found a treasure trove of bogus designer goods in hidden cupboards. Lin subsequently pleaded guilty to selling counterfeit merchandise -- but not to Dion. He merely told her fortune, he said.