Counterfeit Vodka Bottles to Be Destroyed in Singapore
14 January 2014
A shipment of counterfeit vodka bottles that had been declared as general cargo has been handed over to its authentic brand owner for destruction, following a court order in Singapore.
On their way to being shipped out of the country in June last year, more than 77,850 empty counterfeit vodka bottles, 18 boxes of bottle caps and 10 boxes of labels all bearing the name of a vodka brand were detained by Singapore Customs. The infringing items were suspected to be used for illegal bottling and sale abroad, a customs statement said.
Singapore Customs handed over the counterfeits to the legal representative of Diageo North America on December 26, 2013.The rights owner subsequently applied successfully to the court for the counterfeits to be forfeited for destruction.
“Singapore Customs does not condone such illegal trading activities, especially when the goods involved may potentially pose health or safety risks,” said Tok Choon Min, acting head of operations management at Singapore Customs. “We will work closely with brand owners to take appropriate action against offenders in accordance with the Trademark Act.”
