Trademark owner nails outlets for fake Adidas goods

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SIBU: A total of 157 pairs of fake Adidas shoes and socks valued at RM22,006 were seized by the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism office here last week.

This is the ministry’s biggest haul of imitation goods here so far this year.

Its Sibu branch chief Balraj Singh disclosed that their officers raided two town outlets following a report lodged by the trademark owner.

He said the trademark owner had done their groundwork before lodging their report.

“Eight men led by deputy chief Ganda Jirap, accompanied by representatives from the trademark owner, checked on these outlets.

“Surprisingly, these two outlets are located in established shopping complexes, where there is high human traffic, especially during weekend,” Balraj told The Borneo Post yesterday.

He learned from the representatives of the trademark owner that the imitation goods were priced slightly lower than that of originals.

He revealed that both cases were now being investigated under Trade Description Act 2011.

“Upon conviction, offenders could be fined up to RM100,000 or sentenced to three years’ jail or both.”

Turning to retailers, he warned them against displaying imitation goods in their shops or faced stern actions.

He added there had been three cases of imitation goods thus far this year.

Balraj revealed they recently raided a shop for selling imitation branded bags.

They had also seized 16 units of pirated DVDs, VCDs and CDs of Iban songs during another raid.

“The copyright owner has lodged a complaint and we carried out the raid.”

He mentioned that the case was now being investigated under Copyright Act 1997.

Meanwhile, he urged the public to call 084-329202 or 335622 if they noted of any hike in the prices of essential items or unhealthy business practices.