Hong Kong Customs conducted operations against the sale of infringing goods at mobile hawker stalls in Central district for three consecutive weekends between May 10 and yesterday (May 24). About 2 300 items of suspected infringing goods were seized with an estimated market value of about $400,000.
During the said period, joint operations were conducted by Customs, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Immigration Department to combat illegal hawking and the sale of infringing goods. During the operations, Customs officers raided multiple mobile hawker stalls selling suspected infringing goods in Central district and seized about 2 300 items of suspected infringing goods, including clothing, bags and wallets.
Customs will continue to step up inspections and enforcement to vigorously combat infringing activities.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Under the Copyright Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any infringing goods commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 per infringing copy and imprisonment for four 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/Monday, May 25, 2020
