Thousands of fake electronic goods seized in Dubai sting

Counterfeit electronic goods worth Dh4 million — including 5,300 televisions — are found in raid on building in Al Aweer by officials Department of Economic Development's consumer protection division.

Workers remove some of counterfeit electronic items seized in a raid in Dubai.

DUBAI// Thousands of counterfeit electronic goods worth Dh4 million have been seized by authorities from a warehouse in the emirate.

The building in Al Aweer was raided by officials from the Department of Economic Development's Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection (CCCP) division. Over 20,600 fake items were discovered.

They included 5,300 LG, Panasonic, Sony, Sharp and Hitachi televisions, 7,000 DVD players and various other devices including stereo sets, pressing irons and vacuum cleaners.

Around 60 people were working in the warehouse. The goods seized weighed in at 120 tonnes.

"Dubai being a major logistics hub and retail destination, we maintain extreme vigil against counterfeiting and trademark infringement," said Khalid Ali Al Youha, acting manager of CCCP's Intellectual Property Rights Protection Unit.

"The Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection division conducts regular market inspections and also acts on complaints received, to avoid Dubai being used as a conduit to sell or distribute counterfeit goods."

Inspectors found that the duplicates were carefully packaged to avoid suspicion and even included warranty labels of leading distributors in the region.

Mr Al Youha, said the confiscation marked a "major" episode in efforts to protect trademarks and consumer rights in Dubai.

The fake items will be destroyed and the owner of the goods will be fined Dh30,000 - the maximum penalty for trademark infringement.

"Trademark infringement violates intellectual property rights and Dubai is determined to curb such practices," said Mr Al Youha.

"Counterfeiting corrupts the market, kills innovation and denies a consumer his right to quality and information."

He urged consumers and traders to help the department in targeting counterfeiters.

Complaints against trademark infringement should be submitted to the CCCP together with an official complaint letter, copy of the trademark registration and a written authorisation to proceed with the complaint.

For more information on the requirements for making a trademark infringement complaint, contact the DED's hotline on 600 545555.