Intellectual Property Rights Protection Alliance

Cases of interest

Hong Kong Customs combats sale of counterfeit corner strips (with photos)

Date: 30/11/2019

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (November 29) conducted an operation against the sale of counterfeit corner strips and seized about 115 000 suspected counterfeit items with an estimated market value of about $1 million.

Acting on information alleging that suspected counterfeit corner strips were sold by a construction material company, officers took action yesterday under the trademark owner's assistance after an investigation. The batch of suspected counterfeit items were seized during a raid against the company's office premises and warehouse in Yuen long.

A 38-year-old company director was arrested.

Investigation is ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up its inspection and enforcement action against the sale of counterfeit goods.

Customs reminds consumers to purchase goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or authorised agents if authenticity of a product is in doubt.

Traders are also reminded that they must be cautious in procurement as the sale of counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal liability.

Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Members of the public may report any suspected infringing activities to the Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (November 29) conducted an operation against the sale of counterfeit corner strips and seized about 115 000 suspected counterfeit items with an estimated market value of about $1 million. Photo shows the suspected counterfeit corner strips seized.

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