Hong Kong Customs yesterday (October 8) raided a shop which was found selling watermelon bearing forged trademark at Kowloon Wholesale Fruit Market, Yau Ma Tei. In the operation, 136 boxes of watermelon valued at about HK$9,000 were seized. Three men, aged between 48 and 58, including the shop owner and two salespersons, were arrested.
Acting on information concerning the sale of watermelon bearing forged trademark on the packages, Customs had conducted an investigation. Officers of the Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau took enforcement action against the targeted shop on October 8. Three people were arrested. The main customers of the watermelon are not ordinary citizens but those foodstuff companies, such as juice or confection factories. Investigation is still on-going.
The Divisional Commander, Trade Descriptions Investigation Division, Mr Chan Chi-keung, stressed at a press briefing today (October 9) that the sale of the goods which a forged trademark was applied is a serious offence. He appeals to the owners and salespersons not to engage in such illegal activities. In case of any suspicion, members of the public should enquire with the trademark owners and report to the Customs promptly.
Mr Chan also said that the success of the operation was attributed to the support and co-operation of the trademark owners. Customs will continue to reinforce the enforcement against such counterfeiting activities.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person selling goods bearing 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/Sunday, October 9, 2011
