Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 9) seized 135 boxes of mooncakes bearing a forged trademark valued at about $20,000 during an anti-counterfeiting operation in Yuen Long. A 50-year-old woman, who claimed to be a cosmetologist, was arrested.
Acting on information about someone selling mooncakes bearing a forged trademark, officers of the Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau took enforcement action yesterday. In the operation, 135 boxes of mooncakes bearing the forged trademark were seized in a Yuen Long premises and a woman was arrested. The case is still under investigation and the woman was released on bail.
It is believed that the arrestee used the forged trademark of a brand in the selling of mooncakes. The mooncakes were sent to the Government Laboratory for analysis to ascertain whether any substances harmful to humans were contained.
The Group Head (Intellectual Property Investigation (Operations)), Mr Michael Kwan, said at the press conference today (September 10), "The success of the operation was attributed to the support and co-operation of the trademark owner. Customs will continue to reinforce the enforcement against such counterfeiting activities."
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person selling goods bearing a forged trademark is committing a criminal offence. The maximum penalty is imprisonment for five years and a fine of $500,000.
Anyone who comes across any suspected counterfeiting activities is encouraged to report to Customs by calling the 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Tuesday, September 10 2013