P40M worth of counterfeit goods seized
By Tina Santos
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 14:32:00 07/25/2009
Filed Under: Crime, Patents and Copyright and Trademarks
MANILA, Philippines--Some P40 million worth of counterfeit LeSportac bags were confiscated by authorities during simultaneous raids on a warehouse and several stalls in at least two shopping malls in Binondo, Manila last week, the National Bureau of Investigation reported Saturday.
Raided were various stalls at 168 Mall and New Divisoria Mall, and a warehouse located at 501 Aclem Building on Juan Luna Street, Binondo. The establishments were reportedly owned by Chinese nationals Tony Tan and Jocelyn Que-Tan.
According to the NBI, agents of the Intellectual Property Rights Division were able to seize 22,371 pieces of counterfeit LeSportac bags during the raids.
The operation stemmed from a complaint filed by Didymus Business Proprietary Support Services, which represented LeSportac.
The complainant claimed that thousands of bags and pouches bearing the trademark of LeSportac were being sold to the public to the damage and prejudice of its client.
Armed with search warrants issued by Manila Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Antonio Eugenio Jr., bureau agents conducted the raids following surveillance and test-buys.
Charges of violation of Republic Act 8293 (Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines) would be filed against the owners of the establishments, the NBI said.