Holyoke man arrested, arraigned in connection with major multistate illegal tobacco distribution network
A Holyoke man has been arrested and arraigned in connection with running a major illegal tobacco distribution network throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. He was running a multi-state criminal operation that involved transporting, selling and distributing illegal, untaxed cigarettes to convenience stores across Massachusetts and across state lines.
Kyocera haul of counterfeit gear worth €5m
Print company launches campaign to highlight dangers of selling dodgy goods.
Kyocera has launched a campaign to educate customers and partners on the risks of buying counterfeit consumables after seizing fraudulent goods worth in excess €5m since its financial year started in April.
http://www.channelpro.co.uk/news/9954/kyocera-haul-of-counterfeit-gear-worth-5m
Holyoke man accused in multi-state illegal cigarette distribution ring
A Holyoke man is facing several charges after investigators allege he was running an illegal cigarette distribution network across several New England states.
Investigators allege that Perez would reportedly deliver trash bags full of cartons and half cases of illegal untaxed cigarettes to individuals, other known illegal cigarette traffickers.
“This is a successful example of what states can do when we work together to stop trafficking in illegal untaxed tobacco products.” said Connecticut’s Commissioner of Revenue Kevin Sullivan in a statement.
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Know how to protect your brand
Counterfeiting is a $600 billion a year problem and it has grown by over 10,000% in the past two decades, in part fuelled by consumer demand. Electronics, FMCG, Alcohol and even daily care products are copied and sold in the market on an everyday basis. These goods are comparatively cheap and are easily available, due to the big retail and online model boom that our country is witnessing.
There are various types of counterfeiting solutions which can help in the process of authentication such as Security Holograms, Holographic Strips, Holographic Paper Labels, Holographic Board, 3D Promotional Stickers, Holographic Tax Stamp, Mirror Effect Holograms and many more such solutions.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/technology/in-other-news/110516/know-how-to-protect-your-brand.html
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Market for Illegally-Made Goods Reaches $460 Billion
A new report says as much as $461 billion was spent on counterfeit andpirated goods around the world in 2013, and that trade continues to grow.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development released thereport on April 18. The OECD studies economic information to helpgovernments develop economic policies.
Counterfeit goods are illegally-made copies of products. They are made andsold without the permission of the owner. Intellectual property rights, such ascopyrights and patents, are forms of ownership that can be difficult toenforce in international trade.
Counterfeit goods can travel through many countries before they reach theplace where they are sold.
http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/oecd-market-for-illegally-made-goods-reached-460-billion/3303511.htmlPictures
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Nexus of int’l tobacco companies : Local tobacco industry on verge of extinction
International Tobacco Companies have forged vicious nexus to annihilate the local tobacco industry in Pakistan.
Planning is underway to cause immense harm to the local tobacco growers on the basis of false and concocted reports like Nelson report which is extremely biased and contrary to the facts.
On one hand national economy is being caused colossal loss under tax head by smuggling international brand cigarettes to Pakistan from Afghanistan and on the other side efforts are being employed overtly and covertly to establish monopoly of international tobacco companies in Pakistan.
Illicit cigarette trade accounts for nearly a quarter of the gross trade of the product causing an annual loss of Rs 24 billion to the national exchequer, says a research report.
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Taobao to crack down on fake luxury items
Sellers of luxurious items on China’s biggest online marketplace must prove product authenticity or face being shutdown starting May 20, Labor Daily reported.
Alibaba Group Holding’s platfom Taobao.com has been frequently criticized for being a hotbed of fake branded products, despite moves to crack down on unscrupulous sellers.
Sources said traders must provide proof their luxury products are authentic and genuine, otherwise these products would be removed or the store closed.
Details of sellers who seriously violate rules will be passed on to commercial regulators or police bureaus for further investigation.
http://www.china.org.cn/business/2016-05/10/content_38418155.htm
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Alibaba’s Taobao steps up measures to fight fake luxury goods
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd’s online shopping platform Taobao is tightening controls on the sales of luxury goods, requiring sellers to show proof of authenticity, as it fights sales of fake items on one of China’s top online platforms.
From May 20, sellers of luxury products will be required to upload proof, such as an invoice or authorization letter from the luxury brands, for examination by Taobao, or the goods will be removed from the portal, while their funds can be frozen.
“To create a healthy shopping environment with a high level of integrity and to protect the legal interests of consumers and brand owners, Taobao is gearing up to regulate sales of luxury brands’ products,” it told sellers in a notice dated May 4.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-alibaba-taobao-idUSKCN0Y10VH
Lear MoreGucci Departs International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition Following Addition Of The Alibaba Group
The International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition now has one less influential brand in its nonprofit organization. Gucci has officially left the group — which works to halt the production of counterfeit copies in the fashion industry — following the announcement that the Alibaba Group has joined.
Last week, Michael Kors also pulled out its membership from the organization for the same reason. Brands including Chanel, Nike and Apple are still part of the coalition.
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Up in smoke
The illicit trade in tobacco products inflicted a revenue loss of Rs27.7 billion upon Pakistan last year, as per information provided to a committee of the Parliament.
Besides terrorism, cigarette smuggling also nurtured black economy, which was now estimated to be over 70 per cent of GDP against 62.8 per cent in 2005.
According to WHO affiliate “Framework Alliance and Health Bridge,” smuggled cigarettes formed a major portion of the illicit tobacco trade in the Pakistani market, and their volume was constantly rising. In the year 2015, some 27.1 billion cigarette sticks were smuggled into Pakistan against 16 billion sticks in 2007 and 18 billion sticks in 2008.