With his shoulder-length hair and moustache, David Brown, international trade mark officer for Ralph Lauren, has the look of a cowboy. He is also wrathful and showed the depth of his fury last week when he failed to get the police to move against 58 ?outlaws?.

David Brown was angered when he discovered that 58 tourist shops were selling garments under the Ralph Lauren trademark without having entered into any agreement with him. The American company is allowing 108 shops to sell under its trademark until December at latest.

Those shops have pledged under oath in Court not to sell or produce any garments under the Ralph Lauren trademark. They also have to pay, in solido, US $ 800 000 to the American company.

However, 58 shops have so far refused to enter into any agreement with Ralph Laren, have not paid a single dollar and are selling illegally under its trade mark. David Brown could not convince the police to crack down on these shops.

Like all lonesome cowboys, David Brown talks very little. But his short statement ?I am studying my options against the Mauritian government? caused a shock wave in many quarters. And anger too.

But government finally bowed to Brown?s anger and will apply for an order from a Supreme Court judge this week to crack down on the 58 outlaws.