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September 2, 2013

The Nation Reports on IP Enforcement Raid Actions by Canon and Tilleke & Gibbins

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The Nation

The Nation, a widely circulated newspaper in Thailand, recently reported on Canon’s successful raids of two retail shops in Zeer Rangsit Department Store and one shop on Chaengwattana Road. According to the newspaper, more than 110 counterfeit CANON battery grips for cameras were seized, totaling a value of more than THB 500,000.

Reportedly, the raids took place on August 26, 2013, and were led by representatives of Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, in collaboration with police officers from the Economic Crime Division, led by Pol. Lt. Col. Chaiwat Pradabthai, using a search warrant issued by the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court. The Nation goes on to say that police carried out searches of two retail shops selling cameras and camera equipment on Floor G of Zeer Rangsit Department Store, and one retail shop selling cameras and camera equipment on Chaengwattana Road. Based on preliminary information, all three shops belong to the same owner.

The owner of the shops was charged with committing trademark infringement offenses, which carry a maximum penalty of four years imprisonment and/or a fine of THB 400,000.

“Canon is strongly committed to stamping out the presence of fake CANON battery grips and CANON camera batteries in the Thai market,” said Mr. Cyril Chua, a partner at ATMD Bird & Bird, Singapore, and the representative of Canon. “This raid was the latest in our ongoing efforts to ensure that Thai consumers are not harmed by the criminal activities of infringers, as fake batteries can overheat, for example, causing damage to users.”

Canon plans to coordinate with the Economic Crime Division to continue the effort to eliminate all counterfeit products in the Thai market, by carrying out more raids against companies and retail shops located in Bangkok and upcountry that are selling such goods.

The Nation then cites Tilleke & Gibbins, the law firm advising Canon, expressing support for these important raid actions. “We are pleased that police have acted out of concern that consumers could be deceived about the origin and quality of these questionable products,” said Darani Vachanavuttivong, Co-Managing Partner and Managing Director of the firm’s intellectual property group. “It is essential that the Royal Thai Police sustain this campaign against the infringers who produce and distribute these dubious products, and the authorities can count on full support from Canon and Tilleke & Gibbins for these enforcement efforts.”

Please visit The Nation website to read the full article.

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