Gucci 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.
http://tns.thenews.com.pk/smoke/#.VzMOJtJ97IU
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Authorities break up Chinatown buses cigarette-smuggling ring
A trafficking operation that used Chinatown buses and cars to bring 2 million contraband cigarettes into New York City every week has been extinguished by authorities.
The alleged ringleaders ran a tobacco shop in Virginia, where taxes are far lower, and would buy large quantities of smokes at about $40 a carton, said city Sheriff Joseph Fucito.
http://nypost.com/2016/05/08/authorities-break-up-chinatown-buses-cigarette-smuggling-ring/
Lear MoreFair Competition Commission seizes counterfeit goods
The Fair Competition Commission (FCC) has seized counterfeit products worth 39.3m/- in an operation in Mwanza city between May 29, 2016 and June 2, 2016. The goods impounded in the operation are fake Samsung mobile phones worth 31.2 m/-, fake Admet mobile phones worth 2.1m/- shoe shine products worth 780,000/-, razor blades worth 1.7m/-, and different mobile phones accessories worth 3.4m/-.
The ultimate goal is to increase efficiency in the production, distribution and supply of goods and services. Establishment of FCC is a significant step in Tanzania’s effort to establish a market economy.
Why Make in India when you can Fake in India
Most of us know at least one person who went abroad during summer holidays and returned flaunting his/her Gucci bag and Prada glasses. Often there would be a clique, green with envy, touting it all to be ‘duplicate maal‘ (fake products). They weren’t always far from truth considering how rampant counterfeiting is, globally, when it comes to luxury products. India is one of the hotbeds for the same with every city boasting of at least one popular destination for premium brands at non-premium rates.
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US cracks down on counterfeiting
The illegal importation, distribution and sale of counterfeit products pose a significant and growing threat to the health and safety of the public, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials warned during a hearing before the Senate’s judiciary committee.
Bruce Foucart, director of the ICE-led National IP Rights Coordination Center, testified to the dangers of fake goods and their impact to consumer safety.
He said: “Law enforcement, public education, demand reduction and global collaboration are all critical to successfully address this crime.”
http://ipprotheinternet.com/ipprotheinternetnews/article.php?article_id=4904#.VzMQNNJ97IU
Lear MoreFuel smuggling syndicate exposed
Smuggling of refined petroleum products from Ghana to Burkina Faso through Paga, the capital of the Kassena Nankana West District of the Upper East Region, has now been taken over by tanker drivers.
The illegal activity, which is regarded as the most lucrative business in the district, is said to be known to the security operatives in the town, but much has not been done to halt it due to their political influence.
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Fuel-smuggling-syndicate-exposed-436499
Lear MoreStructural reforms needed to stop agri smuggling
One may give the Aquino administration passing marks for keeping the economy grinding at its enviable six percent rate for the last six years. Or for bringing jobs to our unemployed by nurturing the business process outsourcing industry. Or pursuing its 4P commitment by reaching out to the poorest sectors of society, or restructuring the educational system by retraining teachers, building more classrooms and aligning to global K-12 standards.
Well, there’s a relatively good long list of accomplishment that really deserves a sincere pat on the back.
On the other hand, there’s a relatively lengthy list also of things that had not been done, starting from Day 1 of the current dispensation. And some of this would have mattered significantly to boosting further the nation’s and its people’s well-being.
http://www.philstar.com/business/2016/05/03/1579129/structural-reforms-needed-stop-agri-smuggling
Lear MoreGoing up in smoke: Terrorist financing and contraband cigarettes
In 2000, the United States authorities caught two Lebanese brothers for running a multimillion-dollar smuggling operation, moving low-tax cigarettes from North Carolina to high-tax Michigan.
It was a major coup for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. But the bureau was shocked when it realised where the profits of the syndicate were diverted to: designated terrorist organisation Hizbollah.
The bureau quickly stepped up its focus on the ties between cigarette smuggling and terrorism.
http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/going-up-in-smoke-terrorist-financing-and-contraband-cigarettes
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Man admits sale of counterfeit Garmin products
An Arkansas man pleaded guilty Tuesday to selling hundreds of counterfeit Garmin map cards online.
William Yates, 26, of Fort Smith, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan., to a charge of copyright infringement.
According to federal prosecutors, Yates sold more than 870 counterfeit map products for more than $23,000. He sold the items on sites such as eBay, Amazon and Craigslist.
The sales took place between June 2012 and last August, according to federal court documents.
http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article75341442.html
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