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Counterfeit goods seized in joint
operation
WIRRAL Council Trading Standards
yesterday carried out an operation to deal with counterfeit goods. In a joint
operation with Merseyside Police and brand protection officers from Surelock,
React and Liverpool Football Club, stall holders in Birkenhead Market were
targeted as it had been reported that they were selling fake clothing and other
products.
The seizure involved big name brands including:- Premier League football clubs,
music merchandise and goods bearing the logos of Marvel Superheroes and Disney
characters. The operation was in response to complaints received from Brand
Holder organisations who had confirmed that the products were infringing the
rights of the copyright owners.
Selling counterfeit goods is a criminal offence under the Trade Marks Act 1994.
These criminal activities undermine legitimate businesses and affects consumer
confidence. Cheap clothing and products might seem harmless but they are likely
to be low quality goods and/or unsafe. Caution also has to be made for
counterfeit children's clothing as the material could pose a potential choking
hazard for small children.
Cllr Phillip Brightmore, Wirral Council
Cabinet member for Environment, said:- "Counterfeit products can defraud
the customer along with damaging and weakening a brand's reputation. Such
products can put customer safety at risk as they are not tested to high UK
standards. The supply of counterfeit goods can also be linked to serious,
organised crime and the funding of illegal operations. This is not a victimless
crime. The sale of counterfeit goods undermines genuine retailers who provide
employment for local people. Wirral Council will support legitimate businesses
and protect consumers by taking robust action against the suppliers of
counterfeit goods and those who seek to sell them."
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