Dubai: The Dubai Government appears to have taken a zero-tolerance policy against fake products with officials seizing a large chunk of counterfeits.
During a recent raid on Dragon Mart, the Department of Economic Development (DED) seized 2,500 fake goods from the popular Chinese market in Dubai, according to a DED official.
The inspectors imposed Dh100,000 in fines on 113 stores found violating intellectual property rights, Abdullah Al Shehi, Director of Commercial Protection, told Gulf News.
Bags, shoes, clothes
The counterfeit products included bags, shoes and clothes imitating high-end brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Crocs, he said.
The Chinese knock-offs will meet their demise in a large shredder at the back of a van near the DED's Al Qusais offices and the remains will be recycled.
The DED began an awareness campaign against counterfeit products targeting Dragon Mart at the beginning of the year.
Copyright
The campaign and brochures were all in Mandarin in an attempt to educate vendors on copyright laws, he added.
Earlier this year, the DED destroyed 453,000 fake goods it confiscated last year.
The department issues warnings, imposes fines ranging from Dh5,000 to Dh20,000, and closes the establishments of repeat offenders for up to 90 days.
Trading in fake goods is especially popular in Bur Dubai markets, but the free zones are also potential entry points for the products into the country.
Counterfeit costs $600 billion a year
It is estimated that counterfeiting costs $600 billion a year globally, according to the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC).
Approximately five to seven per cent of world trade is in counterfeit goods, the IACC estimates.
Consumers can file complaints about counterfeit goods by logging on to www.consumerrights.ae or dialling the complaints hotline on 600-54-5555.
