Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 4) raided a distribution company and a retail store, resulting in the seizure of 129 sets of counterfeit mobile phones, including accessories. The total seizure was worth about $130,000.
This was the first time that Hong Kong Customs seized counterfeit mobile phone sets with accessories including batteries and chargers. The seized items, with a high degree of imitation, were attractively packaged.
During the operation, two men and a woman, aged between 43 and 60, including a 60-year-old male proprietor of the distribution company, were arrested.
Acting on complaint from a trademark owner that a company was suspected of distributing counterfeit mobile phones, Hong Kong Customs conducted in-depth investigation.
Customs officers mounted an operation against a distribution company in Kwun Tong yesterday, seizing 126 sets of suspected counterfeit mobile phones and accessories. The total seizure was worth about $130,000. A 60-year-old male proprietor of the distribution company was arrested.
The officers subsequently seized from a retail store in Sham Shui Po three sets of suspected counterfeit mobile phones of the same model. A man and a woman were arrested.
Investigation showed that the counterfeit goods were purported to be parallel imports and sold by illicit traders at a lower price than that of genuine goods.
Group Head (Intellectual Property Investigation (Operations)), Mr Edmond Cheng, said that Hong Kong Customs had been cooperating closely with trademark owners to stringently combat the sale of counterfeit mobile phones and accessories.
Investigations will be conducted upon receipt of complaints from trademark owners and members of the public. Meanwhile, Customs officers closely monitor the market situation and take appropriate enforcement actions based on intelligence.
Mr Cheng urged the public to purchase genuine mobile phones and accessories in view of the lack of guarantee in the quality of counterfeit mobile phones and accessories (including batteries), fire hazards possibly resulting from short circuit, and difficulty in obtaining compensation should problems arise after purchase.
He also reminded retailers to abide by the law by selling genuine goods.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, it is a criminal offence to sell goods with forged trade marks or false trade descriptions to a material degree. The maximum penalty upon conviction is imprisonment for five years and fine of $500,000.
Ends/Thursday, July 5, 2007
