David Beckham begins $1bn legal battle against 500 sellers accused of flogging counterfeits of his designer gear

DAVID Beckham has begun a new $1billion legal fight to try and stamp out counterfeiters flogging fakes of his designer gear.

The ex-England ace’s firm is targeting nearly 500 online sellers, mostly in Asia, from profiting.

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DB Ventures, which looks after his deals, has launched two lawsuits in the US.

The cases are aimed at counterfeiters selling knock-off clothes, watches, perfume, sunglasses, video games, toys, footballs and sports gear via sites including Amazon, eBay Etsy, Temu and Walmart.

DB Ventures, backed by its rights management company Authentic Brands Group, wants $2million (£1.6million) from each of 492 defendants named in two lawsuits.

Court papers state they have acted “maliciously” to deceive punters.

Last month Beckham’s team won a £240million case in the same US court against dozens of counterfeiters.

The judge in the latest case has ordered a temporary restraining order and asset freeze against the defendants.

A source said: “Authentic brands want to stamp out this issue and stop people from selling fakes of David’s products.

“They pride themselves on the quality of their products and people are being ripped off without their knowledge.

“They think they have a good case.”