Hong Kong Customs conducted an operation against the sale of infringing items at mobile hawker stalls in Central district on three consecutive Sundays - January 13, January 20 and January 27. During the operation, about 900 items of suspected infringing goods with an estimated market value of about $70,000 were seized.
Customs has stepped up enforcement actions against infringing activities prior to the Lunar New Year. Multiple mobile hawker stalls selling suspected infringing goods in Central were raided and about 900 items of suspected infringing goods were seized including clothing, leather products, watches, shoes and eyeglasses.
During the operation, Customs arrested five men and two women, aged from 26 to 46.
Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to combat infringing activities during the Lunar New Year period.
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.
Under the Copyright Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any infringing goods commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 per infringing copy and imprisonment for four 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).
Ends/Monday, January 28, 2019
