CBP Seizes Counterfeit Leggings Infringing on Three Recorded Trademarks Valued at Nearly $871,000
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Sep 21, 2011, 0 Comments
Courtesy Richard Pauza,
LAREDO, TEXAS – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and import specialists from Laredo Port of Entry recently seized a shipment of leggings valued at $871,000 that allegedly infringed on three trademarks recorded with CBP.
An import specialist from the Import Specialist Enforcement Team (ISET) targeted a shipment containing leggings for an enforcement examination. During the examination at Colombia-Solidarity Bridge , the ISET discovered that the leggings contained the Diesel and D&G brand names and the McDonald’s arch design, all of which are trademark recorded with CBP.
The ISET conducted further research and verification through the CBP Office of International Trade, Intellectual and Property Rights (IPR) Branch and it was determined that the merchandise infringed on three recorded trademarks. In addition, the importer was unable to produce letters of authorization for the use of the Diesel, D&G and McDonald’s arch design trademarks. CBP seized the merchandise on Sept. 13.
The merchandise seized included a combined total of more than 6,000 pieces of leggings. The estimated domestic value of the leggings is about $9,500 and the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, if the trademarks had been genuine and sold on the market as such, would have been nearly $871,000.
“This discovery of alleged trademark infringement on a rather unusual type of wearing apparel is quite significant,” said Sidney Aki, CBP port director, Laredo . “By enforcing IPR law, CBP helps protect the American consumer against unscrupulous practices that result in higher end product costs and maintains the integrity of the trademarks recorded with CBP.”
