Hong Kong Customs combats sale of suspected infringing jewellery at fair booths
Hong Kong Customs today (September 20) conducted an enforcement operation at the JGW September (Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong September) being held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, seizing about 27 items of suspected infringing jewellery with a total estimated market value of about $160,000.
Customs received information alleging that infringing jewellery were displayed for sale at some booths at the JGW September which lasted for five consecutive days starting from September 16.
After an in-depth investigation and with the assistance of the copyright owner, Customs officers today seized 24 items of suspected infringing jewellery from a booth. Customs officers also conducted premises search at an associated company located at Hung Hom, further seizing three items of suspected infringing jewellery.
During the operation, one man and one woman, aged between 47 and 65, were arrested for being suspected of contravening the Copyright Ordinance. One of them is the person-in-charge and one of them is a staff member. An investigation is ongoing and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Customs attaches great importance to combating counterfeiting and infringing activities and will deploy officers to different exhibitions to conduct inspections from time to time. Customs will contact the relevant trademark or copyright owners immediately to confirm the authenticity of the goods when suspected counterfeit or infringing goods are found. The department will also take enforcement action after investigations and with the assistance of the trademark or copyright owners.
Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action. Booth exhibitors are reminded to respect intellectual property rights and not to sell counterfeit and infringing goods.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Under the Copyright Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale an infringing copy of a copyright work commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 for each piece of infringing goods and imprisonment for four years.
Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs today (September 20) conducted an enforcement operation at the JGW September (Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong September) being held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, seizing about 27 items of suspected infringing jewellery with a total estimated market value of about $160,000. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Special offers announced in celebration of 77th anniversary of founding of People's Republic of China
October 1 this year marks the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The Government and different sectors of the community will launch a rich array of special offers and activities, covering public transport; culture, arts and leisure; as well as dining and consumption, to celebrate the National Day with the public.
MTR, Photo source: reference image
For public transport, the MTR will give away 77 000 e-single-journey rides through a lucky draw on October 1. Members of the public can also enjoy free rides on all passenger tram routes and several ferry routes of the Star Ferry and Fortune Ferry on that day, while children using designated payment methods can ride most daytime franchised bus routes of KMB, Long Win Bus, Citybus and New Lantao Bus for free. Moreover, Greater Bay Airlines will provide ticket offers, under which people can purchase flight tickets of all non-charter routes at 77 per cent of the original fare during the promotion period.
Photo source: reference image
For culture, arts and leisure, all commercial cinemas will provide half-price discounts on movie tickets on October 1. The public will also be offered free admission on the same day to a number of fee-charging leisure facilities and exhibitions in museums of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and to the Hong Kong Wetland Park under the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. Furthermore, the Antiquities and Monuments Office, 14 projects under the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme, Police Museum, Tai Kwun and PMQ will roll out various offers, including additional free guided tours.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Photo source: reference image
Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Jockey Club will hold the National Day Raceday at Sha Tin Racecourse on October 1, during which members of the public can enter the Public Enclosures of Sha Tin and Happy Valley Racecourses for free. Ngong Ping 360 and Ocean Park Hong Kong will offer ticket discounts. The Peak Tram and Madame Tussauds Hong Kong will give out souvenirs to ticket holders while stocks last.
Photo source: reference image
As for dining and consumption, initially over 2 000 restaurants and merchants will provide dining offers on October 1. Several public markets under the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will launch different offers. Members of the public can also purchase designated products at 77 per cent of the original price via the Hong Kong Harvest physical store, online store or mobile app from October 1 to 7. The Environmental Protection Department will offer double GREEN$ Points to members of the public who recycle at its community recycling network GREEN@COMMUNITY on October 1. The Police Souvenir Gallery, Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, West Kowloon Cultural District, HKTDC Design Gallery, as well as various shopping malls and department stores will roll out offers on dining, consumption, parking, etc.
The Government thanks various sectors for actively responding to its call by launching special offers and activities to celebrate the 77th National Day with the public together. Information about the offers and activities is now available on the dedicated website (www.nationalday77.gov.hk).
Celebration of National Day, Photo source: reference image
