Justice Minister announces seizures of copyright infringing goods worth 160 million baht

Justice Minister announces seizures of copyright infringing goods worth 160 million baht

       On November 3, 2021, 10:30 a.m. at the DSI Academy, Director General Mr. Triyarith Temahivong and his executives and officials lined up to welcome the Minister of Justice Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin (accompanied by his assistance Miss. Nattapat Youngchaiyudh) to inspect counterfeit bedding goods infringing trademarks and copyrights seized from warehouses and stores in the areas of Rayong Province and Pathum Thani Province.

       The Justice Minister inspected 40,000 pieces of seized bedding sets, pillows, blankets and dolls infringing copyrights. The representative of a company named Fujiko F Fujio Pro Ltd, the owner of Doraemon trademark, and the representatives of importers of brand-name goods gave thank you flowers to the Minister for the seizure of copyright infringement products.

       The Justice Minister stated that “I have to thank you the DSI for taking actions according to the government policy by searching 3 suspicious places concealing copyright infringement products on October 28, 2021. From the searches at 3 places (2 places in Rayong Province and 1 place in Pathum Thani Province), 40,000 pieces of bedding products infringing trademarks of Doraemon, Louis Vitton, Dior, Chinjung, Ben 10, Gucci, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and other various brand names were found. The market value of seized products are worth more than 40 million baht. The damage value based on the value of genuine goods is 160 million baht. From the government policy, I ordered the DSI to expedite its investigation into nationwide copyright infringements and to watch and pursue groups of people selling trademark infringement products as major sellers for retail and wholesale by arranging big exhibitions of goods in various community areas and advertising online via various social media platforms. Furthermore, investigations of the DSI into copyrights and trademark infringement by major manufacturers will be conducted”.

       The Minister also stated that “the aforesaid copyright infringement relates to tax evasion. The predicate offence under the power of the DSI covers 21 anti-money laundering laws and 3 other related laws. The DSI and the Anti-Money Laundering Office will jointly inquire these cases. Whoever still commit such crime will be prosecuted retrospectively. For the manufacture of trademark and copyright inspection by the DSI revealed that there are factories both inside and outside the country. Investigation for clear details is needed. It might be factories infringing goods located in North-East Region which had been used to manufacture fake brand-name products. Detecting financial routes of suspects must be conducted. I encourage everyone to look after this issue, If we buy legal products, it will not be of benefit to infringers as taxes collected will be used for development of the country. Moreover, it will generate a good reputation for free of counterfeit goods of the country. If there are the problems of counterfeit goods and copyright and trademark infringement in our country, we will face trading problem and trading barriers, such as export of agriculture products”

       The Minister said, “I warn those suppliers and sellers of copyright infringing products available at markets and online sales that from now on detection, inspection and arrest will be conducted strongly to bring the offenders to justice strictly, due to its severe damage to the economic system and reputation of the country.”