Adidas, Nike, And Puma: KPDNHEP Seizes Over RM1.6 Million Worth Of Fake Branded Goods
If the owner is found guilty, they can be fined up to RM10,000 for each fake item.
By May Vin Ang — 08 Jul 2020, 11:42 AM
The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) recently raided two premises in Batu Caves, Selangor, which were being used as stores for counterfeit goods
According to Malay Mail, the ministry found and seized 96,915 pieces of counterfeit branded clothes worth approximately RM1.6 million.
KPDNHEP enforcement director Datuk Iskandar Halim Sulaiman said this operation will successfully cripple the sales of counterfeit goods in Malaysia, possibly involving up to 480 distributors and traders across the country.
The ministry had acted on intelligence received from registered trademark owners who suspected there were fake products carrying their brand on social media
"Traders were offering counterfeit goods on social media at a much lower price," said Iskandar Halim in a statement on the operation issued on Tuesday, 7 July.
About the raid, he said the premises were unoccupied and enforcement officers broke in after monitoring the location for about half an hour.
He added that representatives from the trademark companies assisted in inspections and preliminary verification of the goods, which carry brand names such as Adidas, Nike, and Puma.
The case is being investigated under Section 102(1)(c) of the Trademark Act 2019
The offence is to be in possession of trading goods misusing registered trademarks.
If the owner of the goods is found guilty, they can be fined not more than RM10,000 for each fake item or imprisoned for not more than three years, or both.
However, if it is the individual's second time committing the offence, they can be fined RM20,000 for every item or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both.
According to Sinar Harian, Iskandar Halim advised traders to be more responsible and respectful of intellectual property belonging to others and stressed that any individual or company involved in such trade will definitely face heavy punishment.
"The public is also encouraged to report possible counterfeit trade to the ministry by calling the Enforcement Command Centre at 1-800-886-800 or +603-88826088, or head to their closest KPDNHEP office," he said.
