Legal Definitions - passing off

Definition: Passing off is when someone falsely represents their product as someone else's in order to deceive potential buyers. This is considered unfair competition and can be legally actionable. It may also be considered trademark infringement.

Examples: An example of passing off would be if a company created a product that looked very similar to a popular brand's product and used similar packaging and labeling to make it seem like it was the same product. This could deceive customers into buying the product thinking it was the popular brand's product. Another example would be if a company used a similar name or logo to a popular brand in order to make customers think they were buying from that brand.

Explanation: Passing off is a way for companies to try to trick customers into buying their products by making them seem like they are from a popular brand. This is unfair to both the customers and the brand whose product is being imitated. It can also be harmful to the brand's reputation if the imitated product is of lower quality. Legal action can be taken against companies that engage in passing off.