CAN NEW TECHNOLOGIES THWART COUNTERFIETERS
Earlier this month, Jack Ma, chairman of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, made headlines when he declared that counterfeiters can “make better quality, better prices than the real product.” Ma’s comment, made to investors at a company meeting, came during an ongoing dispute over Alibaba’s induction into the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC). After Alibaba joined in April, IACC members Michael Kors, Gucci America and Tiffany & Co. all quit the US-based lobbying group in protest over the sale of counterfeit goods on Alibaba and its affiliate sites. In May, the IACC suspended Alibaba’s membership.
https://www.engadget.com/2016/07/01/alibaba-announces-new-system-to-track-and-remove-fake-goods/
Lear MoreKenya’s anti-counterfeit agency confiscates fake goods worth Sh1 billion
ACA yesterday said it had confiscated the products, a day after goods worth about Sh100 million were destroyed through burning. Destruction of most of the fake goods has, however, been held back by litigation after the owners moved to court. The agency, which marked the annual World Anti-Counterfeiting Day yesterday, urged consumers to be vigilant as they too are critical stakeholders in fighting counterfeits. In 2016, the event theme and activities are expected to increase awareness on counterfeiting among stakeholders including consumers, who have in many instances been duped to buying fakes.
Lear MoreUS airmen, Border Force members allegedly join crime gangs involved in smuggling
Sydney-based US Air Force personnel, Australian Border Force officials and Commonwealth-licensed customs brokers are suspected to have joined international crime syndicates involved in smuggling illicit goods into the country.The revelations come as top security expert Neil Fergus warns that border security gaps may be exploited by terrorists, and former NSW police commissioner Ken Moroney says the Coalition’s decision to scrap an anti-corruption board will increase customs graft.A Fairfax Media/ABC 7.30 investigation can reveal that police recently arrested US airmen Jarvis Cobb and Christopher Paul and charged them with fraud offences.
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Tobacco smugglers must pay back £240K or face jail
A Lancashire man caught smuggling illegal cigarettes and tobacco into the UK, has been ordered to pay back £240,000, of which £90,000 must be paid within three months, or he will face a further 18 months in jail.Peter Robinson, 70, and his son, Adam, both of Rossendale, were jailed in June 2015 after HM Revenue and Customs investigators linked them to 109 illegal postal imports of cigarettes and tobacco.The investigation found that the Robinsons and an accomplice had been involved in a major smuggling scam, sending illicit tobacco goods by parcel post from Spain, Poland, Luxemburg, Germany and Belgium to addresses in the north of England, to evade UK taxes.The pair were caught at UK Customs controls in Coquelles, France, in 2011. Paperwork for 26 parcels was discovered hidden in the roof lining of their car.
http://www.itv.com/news/granada/2016-06-28/tobacco-smugglers-must-pay-back-240k-or-face-jail/
Lear MoreTanzania: Counterfeit Goods Hurt Economy – FCC
Tanzania Fair Competition (FCC) has warned dishonest traders to refrain from importing substandard goods and ensure they stick to business ethics.
The commission’s Communication and Public Relations Officer, Mr Frank Mdimi, said this when destroying counterfeit goods seized during various operations conducted by the government watchdog.Speaking during the exercise, Mr Mdimi said the commission will have more special operations to support the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Charles Mwijage’s statement of making sure there are no fake goods in the market.”Now the war against fake and counterfeit goods is cemented. We will go round and net all those who store fake goods,” stressed Mr Mdimi, adding that no stone will left unturned. FCC, acting in conformity with the Merchandise Mark Act (1963), as amended, has destroyed a number of counterfeit goods valued at over 60m/-
http://allafrica.com/stories/201606270328.html
Lear MoreGuilty verdict for tobacco teabag smugglers
Two men of Chinese origin who hid tobacco in tea bags were found guilty of smuggling and failing to declare to Tonga Customs tobacco in excess of the legal limit when the men arrived at Fua’amotu International Airport, in April last year.
http://matangitonga.to/2016/06/24/guilty-verdict-tobacco-teabag-smugglers
Lear MoreDelhi HC Asks Ludhiana Based Firm To Stop Selling Fake LV Products. Sorry, Ladies!
A Ludhiana based firm came under the scrutiny of Delhi High Court and was ordered to stop manufacturing, selling or dealing goods bearing the logo of renowned French Fashion house Louis Vuitton Malletier.
Louis Vuitton (LV) had earlier filed a petition alleging that a company ‘Guru Kripa’ was selling counterfeit products bearing its registered trademarks. This in turn had diminished the reputation of their brand while burdening them with irreparable losses.
Moreover, LV has also sought damages of over Rs 1 crore from the firm and its proprietors.
As the matter came up for hearing, fashion lovers’ support completely tilted towards LV.
http://daily.bhaskar.com/news/TOP-fake-louis-vuitton-products-5355479-PHO.html
Lear MoreAuthorities Sniffing Out Alleged Fake Laundry Detergent
Recent raids by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department turned up more than 400 buckets of apparently counterfeit laundry detergents at multiple locations in the Los Angeles area.ABC News was there when the raids were conducted. According to authorities, the fake detergent is available for sale at swap meets, fundraisers and online.Investigators say that dealers allegedly buy the phony detergent for about $5 and then sell it for sometimes as much as five times the purchase price.Counterfeiting overall is a nearly $500 billion a year business. This past year alone, Procter & Gamble has helped to identify close to 50 factories that are sending out counterfeit goods.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/authorities-sniffing-alleged-fake-laundry-detergent/story?id=40031928
Lear MoreZimbabwe: Govt Blames Smuggling On Transit Truckers
GOVERNMENT has identified transit truckers as the biggest culprit responsible for significant volumes of smuggled goods entering Zimbabwe and has moved to plug the leakages that cost the country $1,5 billion annually.Smuggling has been detected through the identification of an unprecedented amount of products that have high punitive charges and attract duties finding themselves onto the market, into shops and on the streets.The goods being smuggled include cigarettes, clothing, cooking oil, furniture, milk products, tooth paste, detergents and maheu, among others.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201606190062.html
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Countering Hawaii’s illegal counterfeit trade – Honolulu
Deforest Buckner just joined the NFL, but he’s already in another group: athletes whose names are been illegally used to sell counterfeit goods.
DeForest just got picked up in the first round of the NFL, and here you already have his counterfeit jersey out,” said Joanna Ip, a Special Agent with the Department of Homeland Security.Why are federal agents investigating counterfeits coming into Hawaii?”Counterfeit items are being used to fund illicit activities around the world. Some products are linked to organizations involved in terrorist activities,” said Ip.Counterfeits also raise concerns over public safety.
http://www.kitv.com/story/32251805/countering-hawaiis-illegal-counterfeit-trade
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