Police seize pirated goods

BANDUNG: Police confiscated yesterday hundreds of international brand name products in raids on several shops selling the goods without distribution or franchise rights.

The Bandung chief of police, Col. Erwin Mappaseng, said products under the Billabong, Ripcurl and Quick Silver brands were taken from shops on Jl. Cihampelas, Jl. Gatot Subroto and at Bandung Indah Plaza.

None of the six people identified as the likely owners of the businesses was detained by the police.

"The raids were made following reports and complaints from the authorized distributors in Denpasar, Bali," Erwin said.

He said the legal distributors had sent warning letters to the Bandung shops, which had allowed the shop owners time to conceal some of the illegal merchandise. "That's why we were able to confiscate just a few items. We believe that more merchandise had been stored away."

The authorized distributors, represented by lawyer Deni Mulyana, told the police that illegal sales had caused financial losses of at least Rp 500 million. "That's not a fixed amount," Erwin added.

All the confiscated goods were genuine, he said. "They are all expensive," he said, adding that a pair of socks cost around Rp 40,000.

Erwin said the shop owners would be charged under Article 382 of the criminal law. Violators are subject to a maximum penalty of 16 months' imprisonment.

Police also found Quick Silver labels which they believed were to be sewn onto locally produced garments. "We believe that fake Quick Silver products were produced here," Erwin said.

People found guilty of counterfeiting copyrighted products are subject to a maximum prison sentence of 7 years and 8 months, and a fine of Rp 100 million. (ahy/sur)