The Customs and Excise Department, acting on information and reports, carried out an operation before the summer holiday to combat the sale of counterfeit goods at street level in various districts and on Internet platforms. The department smashed 31 suspected cases in stepped up enforcement action last month. A total of 42 people including 20 men and 22 women aged between 19 and 68 were arrested. Suspected counterfeit goods including stationery, mobile phone cases, cosmetics, hair curlers, handbags, clothes, shoes and other items with a total value of about $340,000 were seized in the operation.
Of the 42 arrested, seven were young people aged under 22. In the first six months of 2014 the number of arrested persons aged under 22 has risen by 67 per cent compared to the same period in 2013. In these cases, most of the young offenders participated in the sale of suspected counterfeit goods on Internet platforms, such as auction sites or social networks, during their leisure time. Some of them were part-time salespersons at shops or stalls selling suspected counterfeit goods.
The Group Head of Intellectual Property Investigation (Operations), Mr Guy Fong, said at a press conference today (July 3) that some young people were involved in selling counterfeit goods for quick money, and some believed that selling counterfeit goods on Internet platforms would not be easily detected. Some of them have the misconception that they are not committing a crime as they have not claimed the goods as genuine or they do not know the goods are counterfeit.
Mr Fong appealed to members of the public to respect intellectual property rights and not to get involved in the selling of counterfeit goods. He appealed to young people to stay alert and not to be involved in such activities during the summer holiday. They should remain vigilant when applying for summer jobs. Parents are also reminded to guide their children so as to prevent them from infringing the law.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person selling goods bearing a forged trademark commits a criminal offence. Once convicted, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for five years and a fine of $500,000.
Suspected counterfeiting activities can be reported via the Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Thursday, July 3, 2014
