Hong Kong Customs officers conducted a two-day (May 30 and 31) operation to crack down on trademark infringement activities relating to products of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
In the raids at Wan Chai, Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok, Customs officers from the Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau seized from seven hawker stalls about 350 pieces of goods, including key rings, watches, caps, badges and stickers, worth about $7,000. Most of the goods bore forged trademark - the Official Mascots of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games (Fuwa).
The officers arrested three men and three women, aged between 40 and 60.
After the operation, Customs officers sought help from Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, the trademark owner, in trademark identification.
Initial Customs investigation showed that the goods were of low quality and priced about half of the genuine goods sold at official channels.
According to the trademark owner, the genuine products should have anti-counterfeiting labels and certificate of examination. They are sold at licensed retail outlets.
Acting Group Head (Intellectual Property Investigation (Operations)), Mr Chiu Yuk-hung said, "Hong Kong Customs has stepped up surprise checks in the territory, taking stringent enforcement against selling activities of counterfeit Beijing 2008 Olympic Games products." He warned shop owners not to sell goods of suspicious origin, which might lead to breach of laws and undermine their shops' reputation.
He also appealed to the public and tourists not to be enticed by low prices when buying counterfeit goods, calling upon them to respect intellectual property rights.
The public is encouraged to report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Hong Kong Customs by calling the 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Any person who contravenes the Trade Descriptions Ordinance is liable to prosecution. The maximum penalty is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Ends/Friday, June 1, 2007
