May 2014

Fake Gucci, Nike Distributor Jailed

LOS ANGELES – A San Gabriel Valley businessman who coordinated the importation of 11 containers of counterfeit apparel – including Nike, Gucci and Coach products worth more than $2.3 million – was sentenced today to 31 months in federal prison. Today’s sentencing is the second in the past two weeks in which a smuggling operation resulted in a federal prison term. Last week, a Glendale man who brought bogus AMG wheels into the country received a one-year prison sentence. Both defendants previously pleaded guilty to trafficking in counterfeit goods.

Millions of cigarettes confiscated

A total number of 13 Million illegal cigarette sticks have been confiscated from January to March 2014, data released today said. Customs alone have been responsible for confiscating 98% of it. Meanwhile in an effort to create awareness among its employees on the impact of illegal smuggling and trading of cigarettes (illicit trade), Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) recently conducted an ‘Anti-Illicit Trade (AIT) in Tobacco Week’ at its head office in Colombo. The company also launched a dedicated hotline 077 2 440794 for employees to report the sale and distribution of illicit tobacco products in Sri Lanka. It is estimated that globally Governments lose US$ 40 billion in revenue from unpaid taxes due to the illegal cigarette trade. It is noteworthy to mention that this amount is sufficient to provide 75kg of rice to every person in Africa.

New task force set up to combat counterfeit cigarettes

A NEW task force has been set up to tackle the problem of counterfeit and illegally smuggled cigarettes on the streets of Notts. The county council has invested £91,000 of its public health funding into the initiative, which will pay for investigations to cut down on the supply and use of illegal tobacco products. The team has already carried out its first raids in nine shops across Sutton-in-Ashfield, Hucknall, Mansfield, Stapleford and Netherfield, and two houses in Gedling. They uncovered around 90,000 counterfeit cigarettes and 20kg of illegal tobacco with an estimated street value of £40,000.

Confidence Reigns, Counterfeit Consumer Electronics Continue to Fool Consumers

Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, will unveil today the results of a 2013 Anti-Counterfeit Study it commissioned on U.S. consumers’ attitudes and perceptions of counterfeit consumer electronics in the U.S.(1) The study reveals that while counterfeit consumer electronics are a significant concern to U.S. consumers, most seem to be unaware of the full impact and risks of their purchase and use. The study revealed that consumers trust their instincts, but seem to lack the understanding of the possible safety risks and the true long-term costs of counterfeit consumer electronics.

Department of Revenue reports on cigarette enforcement

Department of Revenue reports on cigarette enforcement activities

Since July 1, 2013, the Minnesota Department of Revenue has completed over 1,000 inspections of retailers to ensure they are selling only state-stamped cigarettes. The department has worked with law enforcement agencies in numerous seizures of unstamped cigarettes. State stamps on cigarettes are proof that the seller paid Minnesota’s cigarette taxes.

The increase in cigarette and tobacco taxes that took effect July 1, 2013, reflects the state’s commitment to emphasize a healthy community and reduce the number of young people using tobacco. The cigarette tax increase will also help cover the long-term public health costs associated with tobacco use.

Businessmen charged with selling counterfeit drugs

A suburban New York pharmaceutical company sold more than $17 million in counterfeit, misbranded or unapproved drugs, including for cancer and birth control, according to a federal indictment unsealed Wednesday against the two men in charge of the business.

Great Neck-based Pharmalogical, Inc.’s William Scully, 45, of Commack, and Shahrad Rodi Lameh, 40, of Manhasset, pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court in Central Islip. Bond was set for each at $500,000.

Illegal tobacco ring dismantled

Illegal tobacco ring dismantled, Police say

28 arrests and $7 million in contraband seized; ring linked to Mafia, aboriginal organized crime

Police forces on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border have dealt a major blow to an illegal tobacco ring that they say was linked to the Mafia and aboriginal organized crime. Officials from the Sûreté du Québec, the Canada Border Services Agency, the RCMP and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security were on hand Wednesday as 400 officers fanned out in Montreal and the surrounding regions and began raiding dozens of properties. Among the locations targeted just before dawn were homes in St-Léonard and Valleyfield and a strip club in Dundee, near the border. In all, $7 million worth of contraband was seized and 28 people arrested. Police are still searching for seven people linked to the criminal ring, which allegedly involved close collaboration between the Mafia and aboriginal organized crime. Residents of Kahnawake said it was the first time they’d heard police refer to “aboriginal organized crime” and said the raids will affect many members of their community who depend on the cigarette industry to make an honest living.

Customs Training Programme, Delhi

30/04/2014 | Delhi

Smuggling and counterfeiting in India are growing in scope and magnitude with every passing day. The extent and effects of smuggling and counterfeiting are of such significance that they compel strong and sustained action from governments, enforcement agencies, business, media, legal experts and consumers.

More effective enforcement is critical in this regard, as we need to build public support to combat smuggling and counterfeiting. With this view FICCI CASCADE organised a training program of Customs officers to sensitize them on the menace of smuggling and counterfeiting, in Delhi on 30th April, 2014.

Ms. Neeta Lall Butalia, Commissioner of Customs, Delhi shared her views and insights on the menace of counterfeiting and smuggling. She addressed the gathering and invited FICCI CASCADE to conduct more such training programmes for Customs officials in the future.

Mr. Dipankar Barkakati, Additional Director, FICCI in his special address, highlighted the initiatives taken by FICCI CASCADE so far and emphasised on the need to curb smuggling and counterfeiting by strengthening the legal and regulatory frameworks, enhancing enforcement and generating awareness of the consumers on the need to fight the twin menace.

The training programme was attended by over 35 Customs officials and provided a useful platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences in the detection and prevention of the entry of counterfeit and smuggled goods into the country.

Representatives of Dow Corning, Puma and Burberry gave presentations and exhibited samples of their original products alongside the counterfeit copies. The objective was to highlight the key technical aspects of their products which could facilitate the detection of counterfeit products. The participating Customs officials found the presentations constructive and interacted actively both with the company representatives and among themselves. It was decided that another training session would be organized by FICCI CASCADE for another batch of Customs Officers, in July 2014.

Roundtable on Copyright Enforcement Tool Kit, New Delhi

29/04/2014 | New Delhi

Delhi Police Commissioner Mr. B S Bassi launched the Copyright Enforcement Tool Kit at FICCI’s ‘Roundtable on Copyright Enforcement Tool Kit’ on April 29, 2014. Addressing the round table, Mr. Bassi emphasized that copyrights are extremely important and must be respected and protected as they encourage innovation and creation. He assured the industry that the police department will protect the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) of the citizens, and in case of any violation it will investigate the occurrence professionally. He also urged that in the quest for protection of IPR the industry should not prevent dissemination of knowledge which is of society’s good. Mr. Anil Rajput, Senior Vice President-Corporate Affairs, ITC, Chair, FICCI CASCADE Committee and Co-chair, FICCI IP Committee, said that the Tool Kit devised by FICCI is a compilation to assist in understanding the concept of counterfeiting and piracy by giving different modes in which it takes place and the threat it could pose on innovation,national security and competition. The Kit also gives an outline of the regulatory framework for combating counterfeit and piracy in India. He added the document will serve as a ready reckoner to the enforcement officials, which contains all the relevant provisions of law, methodologies to detect counterfeit products and a checklist for the police officials while enforcing copyright with relevant statistics and data. The Kit was developed keeping in view the upsurge of technological developments which has made the protection of intellectual property an imperative issue to foster innovation and economic growth. The police department being the primary law enforcement agency administers the government’s economic, trade and tariff policies, handles international traffic of imports and exports and aids to minimize demerit goods from augmenting in the markets. With low barriers to market entry and infiltration, the police plays a significant role in ensuring and enforcing the protection of copyrights. Hence the need to devise a ready refrencer to assist and apprise the enforcement authorities of the various laws and tools enshrined therein to enforce Copyright Law is imperative. Copyright enforcement is of utmost importance for sustainable growth of the economy, said Mr. Hemant Singh, Managing Partner, INTTL ADVOCARE. Police is the primary law enforcement agency in India. Hence for protecting IPR, the Tool Kit is a step towards assisting the Police, serving as a ready reference for them.