Customs seize hundreds of counterfeits at ISH trade fair
At this year's International Sanitary and Heating Trade Fair (ISH) in Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, the main customs office in Darmstadt scored a notable success in the fight against counterfeiting. During the two-day checks, a total of around 40 exhibits were seized, including counterfeit pumps, shower heads, hand showers, taps, and pull-out taps. The seized products presumably violated trademark, design, or patent law and were found mainly at Chinese exhibitors, partly also at Turkish exhibitors.
In addition to the exhibits, customs officials also confiscated around 450 catalogues containing images of potential counterfeits. This measure is to prevent visitors from ordering counterfeit products. “This is how we actively prevent visitors from reordering counterfeits,” explained Angelika Hipp-Clemens, spokesperson for the main customs office in Darmstadt.
The confiscations resulted in 14 preliminary proceedings against exhibitors. Based on the public prosecutor's instructions, security deposits totaling 11,500 euros were collected to cover expected penalties and legal costs. The seized goods are to be destroyed after the proceedings are concluded.
The checks were carried out by ten customs officers, assisted by representatives of the original manufacturers involved. This cooperation made it possible to efficiently check the authenticity of suspicious products.
Source:
Main customs office Darmstadt | Article in co-operation with Anti-Piracy Analyst
