The Federal Court has ordered Birubi Art Pty Ltd (in liquidation) to pay $2.3 million for making false or misleading representations about products it sold in breach of the Australian Consumer Law.
In October 2018, following action by the ACCC, the Federal Court found that Birubi falsely claimed that products it sold were hand painted by Australian Aboriginal persons and made in Australia when that was not true.
Birubi supplied almost 50,000 boomerangs, bullroarers, didgeridoos and message stones to retail outlets across Australia between July 2015 and November 2017.
These products featured images, symbols and designs associated with Australian Aboriginal art and words such as ‘Authentic Aboriginal Art’, ‘Hand Painted’, and ‘Australia’, but were all made in Indonesia.
“This penalty sends a strong message to anyone considering selling fake Australian Aboriginal style art as the genuine article,” ACCC Commissioner Sarah Court said.
The Court noted the importance of the deterrent effect of the penalty imposed not only in relation to economic harms impacting Indigenous Australians, but also the social and cultural harms which may flow from businesses misrepresenting the provenance of Indigenous art and artefacts.
“Birubi’s actions were extremely serious. Not only did they mislead consumers, they were liable to cause offence and distress to Australian Aboriginal people,” Ms Court said.
“Engagement in the Indigenous Australian art industry is extremely important to a significant number of Australian Aboriginal people, especially those in remote regions.”
“The ACCC took this action because the misleading conduct has the potential to undermine the integrity of the industry and reduce opportunities for Australian Aboriginal peoples,” Ms Court said.
“The ACCC will be monitoring traders of Indigenous Australian style art and souvenirs to ensure confidence in the Indigenous Australian art industry. We will take action against those who mislead consumers about the nature of their products.”
The Court also ordered Birubi to pay costs.
