Several websites have recently popped up trying to make a profit from IKEA’s widespread popularity in Hungary, but have discovered that trying to ride to success on the coattails of the Swedish furniture giant is legally perilous. According to penzcentrum.hu, a Hungarian entrepreneur created a website resembling IKEA’s site where consumers could sell and buy used IKEA furniture. But after the article was published (Olcsobbikea.hu (“Cheaper IKEA”) was taken down by its creator, with the homepage (left) replaced by a notice saying it would return after its “legal situation is clarified.”
Meanwhile, another Hungarian website, ikeakonyha.hu (“IKEA Kitchen”) – which also has been taken down – offered services of a business which specializes in putting together IKEA furniture. This website also copied the design of the Swedish store’s site.
IKEA told Pénzcentrum that they were aware of these and similar enterprises and their legal experts were “looking into the matter.” No question there.