Counterfeit Goods Seized From Local Businesses

KITCHENER, ON, Dec. 23 /CNW/ - During the month of December 2009 , members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) located and seized numerous counterfeit retail products from local businesses within the Region of Waterloo.

RCMP investigators from the Kitchener Detachment have attended numerous businesses within the Region of Waterloo and observed counterfeit retail products. The specific trademark infringed items included sports jerseys, sports jackets, sports memorabilia, clothing, DVDs, hats and toques, jewelry, purses, sunglasses, and wrist watches.

The importing and sale of counterfeit products greatly undermine the livelihood of honest businesses by undercutting their sales prices. The honest business is impacted by reduced revenues which may impact on their future operations. Products legally imported or manufactured are done in compliance with current legislation. This is to ensure the general public is not subjected to or at risk to faulty products.

"I urge the general public to educate themselves in the existence of counterfeit products. These items not only effect honest business owners, but also members of the manufacturing sector who may be effected by lower production of merchandise effecting the overall economy. I encourage the public to contact the manufacturer if they are unsure of a product, or to notify police or other authorities in the event that such items are observed." said Constable Mark SCHAGENA of the RCMP Kitchener Detachment Customs and Excise Section.

In order to provide more details, Kitchener Detachment will hold a media display at 1:00 p.m. , on Wednesday December 23rd, 2009 at the Kitchener RCMP Detachment located at 17 Executive Place in Kitchener, Ontario. This display is open only to members of the media.

For further information: Constable Laurence YIM, RCMP Kitchener Detachment, Media Relations, [phone], ext. 235