As the Mid-Autumn Festival approached, the Customs cracked down on the infringement activities of selling counterfeit mooncakes online and found that there were online platforms selling highly-simulated suspected counterfeit mooncakes, and illegal platforms were selling at a low price the appearance imitating the well-known fashion brand LV (Louis Vuitton) Mid-Autumn mooncake gift box and Peninsula mooncakes. Gift boxes and Maxim’s moon cakes, etc.
After the trademark holder’s report and "Snake Release" acted as a customer to conduct online trial purchases, the law was quickly enforced, 4 online platform accounts were smashed, 4 units involved in the case were searched, 114 boxes of suspected counterfeit mooncakes were seized and 1 man and 3 women were arrested.
Wang Zhixian, Indicators Officer of the Hong Kong Maritime Copyright and Trademark Technology Crime Investigation Team, described some suspected fake mooncakes as "very similar" in appearance to the original product, and also said that the QR code on the packaging of the fake product used to verify the authenticity of the product will be connected to the false result with the forged result. website.
"Let the Snake" expose the counterfeit group to inspect more than 2,000 pieces of other suspected counterfeit perfumes, cosmetics, and kitchenware
In the last month (August 30), the Hong Kong Customs received a report from trademark holders that after someone used an online platform to sell suspected counterfeit mooncakes, it launched a special enforcement action to crack down on the infringement activities of selling counterfeit mooncakes online.
The customs conducts detection and analysis through a big data system, and locks the online platform accounts of multiple online sellers for investigation.
After the customs acted as a customer to conduct an online trial purchase, it took enforcement actions and smashed 4 online platform accounts.
Searched the addresses involved in different platforms, including residential units in Tuen Mun and Kam Tin, an industrial unit in Tuen Mun and a mini storage in Sheung Wan, and seized 114 boxes of suspected counterfeit mooncakes and more than 2,000 other suspected counterfeit items , Including perfume, cosmetics and kitchenware, the estimated market value is about 650,000 yuan.
During the operation, 1 man and 3 women were arrested. They were between 25 and 34 years old and were released on bail.
Counterfeit "LV Mooncakes" sell for 500 to 1,000 Wang Zhixian: Genuine products are only given to customers and not publicly sold
Wang Zhixian, indicator officer of the Hong Kong Maritime Copyright and Trademark Technology Crime Investigation Team, pointed out that one of the counterfeit brands specializes in leather goods and fashion, but they will produce moon cakes before the Mid-Autumn Festival, but they are only used as gifts to customers and have not been publicly sold.
The counterfeit "LV moon cakes" are sold on the platform ranging from 500 to 1,000 yuan.
However, the trademark holder stated that there is no design and production of styles that are circulated on counterfeit platforms, and the brand has not yet begun to present this year's moon cakes to customers.
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The main plagiarism appearance and registered trademark details and QR code verification are different from the original product
Wang Zhixian mentioned that the counterfeit month card mainly copied the design and registered trademark of the Zhengdai packaging box, saying that the appearance was "good similar" to the original product.
In addition, the two-dimensional code at the bottom of the original packaging box can verify the authenticity of the goods. Consumers can use the shooting function in the phone to scan the two-dimensional code to link to a specific website, and then read the two-dimensional code data on the website to verify the authenticity.
Scanning the QR code on the fake package will link to the order page of the official website of the genuine brand, or to a fake website with forged results, which is different from the genuine product, and the authenticity cannot be verified.
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The Customs urges consumers to patronize reputable shops or online shops. If there is any doubt about the authenticity of the goods, they should first check with the relevant trademark holders or their agents.
The Customs also reminded those who sell goods online not to sell counterfeit goods, and they should also be cautious when purchasing goods, as selling counterfeit goods is a serious crime and should be held criminally liable.
According to the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, anyone who sells or possesses counterfeit goods for sale is an offence. Upon conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of 500,000 yuan and imprisonment for five years.
The public can call the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182, or report suspected infringing activities through the dedicated email account for crime reporting (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).