Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 20) conducted a special operation against the sale of infringing goods in Mong Kok and seized about 5 000 items of suspected infringing goods with an estimated market value of about $500,000.

     Customs earlier conducted a patrol operation and discovered some hawker stalls in Mong Kok were selling suspected infringing goods. After an initial investigation, Customs officers took enforcement action yesterday and raided a number of fixed-pitch hawker stalls located on Tung Choi Street and Fa Yuen Street where the batch of suspected infringing goods, including clothes, handbags and wallets, were seized.

     During the operation, Customs arrested two men and five women, aged between 35 and 61.

     An investigation is ongoing.

     Customs will continue to step up inspections and enforcement to vigorously combat infringing activities.

     Customs reminds consumers to procure goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark or copyright owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt.

     Customs also reminds traders to be cautious and prudent in merchandising since the sale of infringing goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.

     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
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     Under the Copyright Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any infringing goods commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 per infringing copy and imprisonment for four years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected infringing activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

Ends/Thursday, May 21, 2020
Issued at HKT 15:22

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