Police seize pirated goods

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)