The ad technology company adSage is asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit accusing it of enabling a counterfeiter to sell fake football jerseys on
Facebook.
The company argues in court papers filed last week that it isn't responsible for how third parties use software tools it develops.
"adSage simply created a software product
that companies and individuals can download and use -- without adSage’s participation or assistance -- to place their own advertisements on Google, Facebook, or other Web sites," the tech
company argues in papers submitted to the U.S. District Court in New Mexico.
adSage filed the papers in response to a false advertising lawsuit by Krystal's NFL Shoppe, which sells official
National Football League apparel. Krystal's alleges that Facebook runs ads for
official jerseys -- which can cost around $100 -- on the same pages as ads for $22 knockoffs.
Krystal's sued Facebook, as well as adSage and ecommerce company DHGate.com, in October. But
adSage responds that Krystal's didn't make out "any plausible connection between adSage and claimed counterfeiters."
The company adds: "The complaint does not make specific factual allegations
showing adSage was involved in or responsible for the wrongful conduct ... Nowhere does it plead adSage created any of the specific ads featured in the complaint, or plead specific facts giving reason
to believe adSage is actually connected to the alleged counterfeiters."
adSage adds that Krystal's is attempting "to infer a connection between adSage and alleged counterfeiters from general
facts and coincidences," such as that adSage uses the same Web hosting company as some counterfeit sites.