Counterfeit goods seized

JAKARTA (JP): National Police officers have seized over 1,000 counterfeit items bearing famous brandnames from 32 counters at four shopping centers here.

According to Ibrahim Senen of the Dermawan & Co. law firm, the counterfeit items confiscated during the Dec. 29 and Dec. 30 raids were products of Louis Vuitton and Etienne Aigner.

"The raids took place on the request of the two legal producers," said Ibrahim yesterday.

The seized goods included handbags, luggage and wallets.

They were confiscated from the outlets in the International Trade Center Mangga Dua, Pasar Pagi and ITC Roxy Mas shopping centers in West Jakarta and Melawai Plaza shopping complex in South Jakarta, he said.

"Some of the outlets staff managed to confuse consumers into believing the counterfeits were genuine products," said Ibrahim.

The fake products were offered at prices ranging from Rp 20,000 (US$3.85) to Rp 400,000 per piece, compared to Rp 180,000 to Rp 6 million per piece for original products, he said.

"Cheap fake products are manufactured locally, but expensive counterfeits are imported from abroad, mostly from South Korea," said Ibrahim.

If found guilty of trademark infringement, a person could be sentenced up to seven years in jail with a maximum fine of Rp 100 million as stated in Articles 81 and 82 of Law 19/1992, amended by Law No. 14/1997 on trademark issues, he said. (bsr)