​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (October 5) conducted a special operation and seized about 4 600 copies of a racing newspaper bearing suspected forged trademarks. The estimated market value of the seizure was about $40,000. This is the first time that Customs detected a case involving a racing newspaper bearing suspected forged trademarks.
Customs earlier received information alleging that a racing newspaper bearing forged trademarks was published by a publisher. After an in-depth investigation with the assistance of the trademark owner, Customs took enforcement action yesterday and raided the publisher's office in Wan Chai and a printing factory in Tai Po. The batch of racing newspapers bearing suspected forged trademarks was seized.
During the operation, three men and a woman, aged between 37 and 57, were arrested. They comprise three company directors and an editor of the racing newspaper.
An investigation is ongoing. All the arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods to which any forged trademark is applied 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 Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Wednesday, October 6, 2021
