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Hong Kong Customs officers yesterday (August 11) seized 54 counterfeit digital high-definition (HD) TV receivers, worth about $70,000, from a shop and two temporary stalls in Apliu Street, Sham Shui Po.
This is the first time counterfeit HD TV receivers have been seized.
Three men and a woman, aged 29 to 49, were arrested.
Acting on information from a trademark owner about shops selling suspected counterfeit HD TV receivers, Customs officers conducted in-depth investigations.
It is believed that the offenders were trying to take advantage of the demand for HD TV receivers during the Olympics period and sold the counterfeits at the price of the genuine goods.
Speaking at a briefing on the operation today (August 12), Divisional Commander (Trade Descriptions Investigation), Mr Lui Tze-cheuk, reminded the public to purchase genuine HD TV receivers from authorised dealers.
He stressed that Hong Kong Customs had been co-operating closely with trademark owners to combat the sale of counterfeit HD TV receivers.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, it is a criminal offence to sell goods with forged trademarks or false trade descriptions to a material degree. The maximum penalty upon conviction is imprisonment for five years and a fine of $500,000.
Ends/Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:09
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