Acting on information, the Customs conducted a series of strike-and-search operations in various districts in Hong Kong from February 4 to 6 and successfully cracked down on various wholesale and retail points involved in the sale of suspected infringing goods for Lunar New Year. In the operations, a total of 15 cases were detected with the arrest of 20 persons and seizure of some 46,000 items of suspected infringing goods valued at about $433,000.
In the operations, the Customs successfully cracked down on two wholesale and 14 retail points in North Point, Wan Chai, Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po, Kwai Chung and Yuen Long involved in the sale of suspected infringing goods for Lunar New Year. The operations resulted in the seizure of some 46,000 items of suspected infringing goods valued about $433,000. Nine men and 11 women, aged between 20 and 60, were arrested.
The Group Head of the Intellectual Property Investigation (Operations) of the Customs, Mr Wong Yim-pui, said today (February 7) that the Customs would continue to take stringent enforcement actions to combat infringing activities. He also reminded members of the public to purchase at wholesale and retail shops with good reputations or at franchised stores of brands. The Customs reminded traders that selling infringing goods was a serious crime and offenders were liable to criminal sanctions.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, it is an offence to sell or possess for sale of any goods with any forged trademark. Upon conviction, offenders are liable to a maximum punishment of imprisonment for five years and a fine of $500,000.
Under the Copyright Ordinance, it is an offence to sell or possess for sale of infringing items. Upon conviction, offenders are liable to a maximum punishment of imprisonment for four years and a fine of $50,000 for each infringing copy.
Anyone with information relating to suspected infringing activities may call the Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Saturday, February 7, 2015
