Canon And Police Raid Counterfeit In Bankok Thailand
Canon is strengthening coordination with the Economic Crime Division to continue anti-counterfeiting operations against companies and shops after a successful raid in Pantip Plaza resulted in charges.
During the raid last Thursday at Pantip Plaza in Bangkok, the company found more than 100 counterfeit Canon battery grips and camera batteries worth a total of Bt100,000. The owners of the shops were charged with trademark infringement, offences that carry a maximum penalty of four years of imprisonment or a fine of Bt400,000, or both.
"Canon is strongly committed to stamping out the presence of fake Canon battery grips and Canon camera batteries in the Thai market," said Cyril Chua, partner of ATMD Bird & Bird, Singapore, the company’s legal representative.
"This raid was the latest in our ongoing efforts to ensure that Thai consumers are not harmed by the criminal activities of infringers, as fake batteries can overheat, for example, causing damage to users."
In a statement issued by law firm Tilleke & Gibbins, which also works for Canon, this effort was aimed at eliminating all counterfeit products in the Thai market.
"We are pleased that police have acted out of concern that consumers could be deceived about the origin and quality of these questionable products," said Darani Vachanavuttivong, co-managing partner and managing director of the law firm’s intellectual-property group.
"It is essential that the Royal Thai Police sustain this campaign against the infringers who produce and distribute these dubious products, and the authorities can count on full support from Canon and Tilleke & Gibbins for these enforcement efforts."