Hong Kong Customs Seizes Suspected Counterfeit Oranges
28 April 2014
On April 23, 2014, Hong Kong Customs raided two fruit retailer outlets offering suspected counterfeit oranges in Yuen Long. In the operation, about 5,200 suspected counterfeit oranges and about 112,000 suspected forged labels with a total value of about $90,000 were seized. Also, two men and two women, aged between 19 and 62, including a shop owner and three salespersons, were arrested.
Acting on information concerning the sale of suspected counterfeit oranges through affixing counterfeit labels on cheaper products, investigation was initiated by the Customs earlier. Officers of the Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau took enforcement action yesterday in two fruit retailer outlets in Yuen Long. Four persons were arrested and a batch of suspected counterfeit oranges and a large quantity of suspected counterfeit labels were seized. Follow-up investigation and relevant patrols are still ongoing.
The Divisional Commander (Intellectual Property General Investigation), Lam Yau-tak, said at a press conference on April 24 that the sale of goods with a forged trademark is a serious offence. He appealed to shop owners and salespersons not to engage in such illegal activities.
Lam also said that the success of the operation was attributed to the support and co-operation of the trademark owner. Customs would continue to take stringent enforcement action against such counterfeiting activities.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with any forged trademark commits an offence. Upon conviction, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of HK$500,000 (US$64,500) and imprisonment for five years.
